Too Greedy to Live 19 March 2008

Mark 12:1-11
Wednesday, 19 March 2008

I appreciate a lot about my upbringing. I was raised by people who got along with one another in the home and who were well-respected in our community. Both of my parents were known in their respective venues as people of great generosity of spirit and liberality in their giving and service. There wasn't a greedy tendency in either of them. I hope I inherited their spirit.

During this last week of his ministry Jesus seems more inclined to initiate conflict and not simply to let the conflict come to him. First, he enters the city riding a colt thereby identifying himself as the messiah. Then, he tears up things in the temple. Now he offers a parable that clearly condemns the bystanders who constantly eavesdrop in an effort to entrap him. The tale he tells is of a landowner who lovingly and diligently sets in motion everything that is necessary for a plentiful harvest. Although the landowner is away, he certainly has an expectation that the tenants he has placed over his land will give him his share of the produce. But they don't. They abuse and kill his messengers and even murder his son rather than to give him what is his due. Basically, their greed overrules both their sense of fairness and their good sense period. And in the end, when the landowner executes justice, their greed will cost them their lives.

Sit for a moment with the story, not as an occasion to think about all of the other people you know in the world who have refused to give God what rightfully is God's due. Don't think about the people who tried to kill you when you told them what God requires. Rather, ask yourself whether and when you too have been like the greedy tenants. Confront yourself. When have you refused the word of God or even attacked the messenger? Ouch. I just thought of a few occasions. No, I have never killed anybody. But I have used cutting words. Did you notice how many chances the landowner gave the tenants before lowering the boom? Hallelujah. Thank God for mercy.

Sing, "Just As I Am"

Let us pray:
Merciful God, since the earth and all its inhabitants rightfully belong to you, each of us needs to repent for the moments when we have been the tenants who have misused your property. We have resisted the messengers you have sent. We have even occasionally refused the Son. Thank you for not giving up on us, for not lowering the boom before we had this opportunity to see ourselves and our error and turn back to you. Thank you for redemption. Thank you for mercy. Thank you for your generosity in giving your Son. Help us to appreciate and praise you for your grace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen