Sunday, March 30, 2025
Sunday Reflection: Who you hang out with
Many churches will be reading the parable of the prodigal son today, but what fascinates me is what comes right before it, in Luke 15:
1Now all the tax collectors and sinners were coming near to listen to him. 2And the Pharisees and the scribes were grumbling and saying, “This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them.” 3So he told them this parable:
Let's be clear about what is going on here: The Pharisees are upset with Jesus because he welcomed those they considered sinners. Jesus doesn't deny it, either (instead, he gives us that famous parable).
How in the world can it be that so many Christians see it as part of their faith to NOT associate with those they consider sinners? The reject LGBT people from their families and churches; they shun their own children for drug use; they push away those most in need precisely because they are in need. Jesus says to forgive 7 x 70 times, but they won't go beyond once.
It's one of those areas where people do harmful things because they are "Christian," but their actions are the opposite of what Jesus modeled and taught. How did we get here?
Part of it, I think, is the tendency of Christians, and especially ministers, to treat any snippet of the Bible-- Paul's Epistles, the Book of Exodus, whatever-- as equal or greater than what Christ actually taught. They fail to provide context or relation to Jesus. In other words, if you can find something that justifies your meanness somewhere in the Bible, you are justified as a "Christian," regardless of what Jesus himself directed.
So what's being worshipped: Jesus or the Bible?
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