Chapter Six fills my heart with visuals. Friends homes destroyed in Monsoon rains, washing down muddy roads, and even teaming rivers. It raises pictures of what it means to be truly poor.
Chapter Six raises the horrifying picture of a bat hanging on a wall of a believer's home as protection from fanatics who visit by night. South Asian culture brings new meaning to the word enemy. An enemy can mete out injustice on a whim, an enemy can devastate your home, an enemy can steal your children without repercussion. For us here enemy often means a pesky co-worker who can emotionally wreck havoc on our lives but who can't come beat us up in our home. Or run us down in their vehicle and not have to face justice.
In this chapter Jesus says to give to everyone who begs from you. Imagine leaving your home and every single person you see while doing your grocery shopping asks you for financial help and you have an idea of South Asian culture. When was the last time someone knocked on your door asking for money or food? It happens all the time in South Asia, and it is good to give. Good. That is one saying of Jesus that does not hold such awesome ramifications in our lives here in the West as it does in South Asia!
But I am not going to talk about those verses today and shine a little cultural light there but rather on verse 5, He, Jesus, said to them, "The Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath." Enough of allowing the religious leaders to dictate the day of rest! Enough of man made rules watching each minute detail of the day. Jesus pops the hot air of pressure out of that balloon.
You have not experienced social pressure during a holiday season until you have lived in a South Asian culture. Everyone knows everything about everyone else. What you are baking, serving, buying, wearing, decorating with and giving to the poor. The bazaars do not cater to choice but rather whatever stock comes in for that celebration (Eid) is what is available. It is this amazing display of all square pegs in the square rules of the holiday. Jesus in this story breaks through the Sabbath rules to feed his disciples a snack AND heal a man with a withered hand.
Perhaps you see rules or holiday traditions in your family that have gotten out of hand or are crippling someone, maybe yourself. Take a deep breath and remember Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Take time to bask in His grace and presence. Don't let cultural or family pressures dictate your decisions this Christmas. Take time to invite Jesus in to be Lord of this Season of Rest and Celebration. Take time to ask Him for wisdom and ways to define your holiday. Use this chapter as a guideline how you might want to celebrate this Christmas. Is someone's expectations looming bigger than Jesus' voice in your life? Is there a tradition where grace no longer lingers? Now is the time to let Him in as Lord!
Chapter Six raises the horrifying picture of a bat hanging on a wall of a believer's home as protection from fanatics who visit by night. South Asian culture brings new meaning to the word enemy. An enemy can mete out injustice on a whim, an enemy can devastate your home, an enemy can steal your children without repercussion. For us here enemy often means a pesky co-worker who can emotionally wreck havoc on our lives but who can't come beat us up in our home. Or run us down in their vehicle and not have to face justice.
In this chapter Jesus says to give to everyone who begs from you. Imagine leaving your home and every single person you see while doing your grocery shopping asks you for financial help and you have an idea of South Asian culture. When was the last time someone knocked on your door asking for money or food? It happens all the time in South Asia, and it is good to give. Good. That is one saying of Jesus that does not hold such awesome ramifications in our lives here in the West as it does in South Asia!
But I am not going to talk about those verses today and shine a little cultural light there but rather on verse 5, He, Jesus, said to them, "The Son of Man is the lord of the Sabbath." Enough of allowing the religious leaders to dictate the day of rest! Enough of man made rules watching each minute detail of the day. Jesus pops the hot air of pressure out of that balloon.
You have not experienced social pressure during a holiday season until you have lived in a South Asian culture. Everyone knows everything about everyone else. What you are baking, serving, buying, wearing, decorating with and giving to the poor. The bazaars do not cater to choice but rather whatever stock comes in for that celebration (Eid) is what is available. It is this amazing display of all square pegs in the square rules of the holiday. Jesus in this story breaks through the Sabbath rules to feed his disciples a snack AND heal a man with a withered hand.
Perhaps you see rules or holiday traditions in your family that have gotten out of hand or are crippling someone, maybe yourself. Take a deep breath and remember Jesus is Lord of the Sabbath. Take time to bask in His grace and presence. Don't let cultural or family pressures dictate your decisions this Christmas. Take time to invite Jesus in to be Lord of this Season of Rest and Celebration. Take time to ask Him for wisdom and ways to define your holiday. Use this chapter as a guideline how you might want to celebrate this Christmas. Is someone's expectations looming bigger than Jesus' voice in your life? Is there a tradition where grace no longer lingers? Now is the time to let Him in as Lord!
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