Dave Dishman

While enjoying a dinner party with a crowd of interested seekers, a gaggle of Pharisees barged in and confronted Jesus about the guest list. Jesus gave these religious leaders a kick in the pants: Go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

Pharisees were fastidious in tithing and sacrificing, but looser in their concern for the fate of immortal souls.

Like the Pharisees, I tend towards sacrifice. It’s easier. Take giving to my church for example. I believe it’s important to support local ministry efforts. I contribute monthly through an automatic electronic withdrawal. As the payment leaves my account I pay little attention, if I notice at all. It costs me, but it’s hardly a sacrifice.

Mercy, on the other hand, is way messier. It requires diligence. I have to pay attention and respond to people around me, listening and noticing those who need help. I must move toward someone in order to be merciful. They need my eyes to see them, my words to acknowledge their pain, and my hands to pick them up. Mercy is not monthly, but moment to moment.

Of course, sacrifice involves so much more than a contribution. Sacrificial acts and mercy go hand in hand. But some sacrifices feel transactional, while mercy involves giving without getting. Too often I focus on the things I’m giving up for God rather than the folks my gifts are intended to help. Mercy prods me away from myself and towards the people God places in my life.

Matthew 9:10-13

Photo by Rémi Walle

In our modern era leprosy (now called Hansen’s Disease in honor of the Norwegian physician who first identified the underlying bacterial cause) is curable with antibiotics. Very few cases remain around the world. Amazingly, leprosy is not even highly contagious, so hugging a person with Hansen’s disease comes with little risk.

But not the case when Jesus walked among the people. Lepers were outcasts. Often resulting in terrible disfigurement, the disease triggered dread and aversion. Before antibiotics appeared (in the 1940’s) no cure existed…except for Jesus: And behold, a leper came to him and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, if you will, you can make me clean.” And Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.

Before Jesus no one cared for those with leprosy. After Jesus his followers started to take notice. They asked themselves, If Jesus took the risk to give dignity to those with this terrible disease, should we not do so as well?

Saint Gregory, an early church father, urged Christians to assist victims of the disease. Others followed suit. Although not everyone agreed, small groups of caregivers continued to aid those with leprosy right up until a cure was discovered. Some of these brave souls contracted the disease themselves.

What moved men and women to touch a leper? Quite simply, their commitment to Jesus. The call to love their neighbors as themselves, and the realization that this world is merely a prelude to an eternity with a new body, helped them realize that suffering is temporary and glory waits in the next life.

Every person with this terrible disease is a person of infinite value made in the image of God. Brave souls took that to heart and put their faith into practice.

Would I have touched a leper? I really don’t know. I’m afraid I would have taken a wide path in the other direction. So I’m moved by those unafraid to walk straight up and care for people in such dire need.

Jesus changes lives. He healed the leper, and he healed the vanity and selfish nature of those who cared for lepers over the centuries. Here’s a striking example of how Jesus changes lives. Don’t sell him short—he might just change yours and mine as well.

Matthew 8:1-4

Photo by the blowup

Stocks, bonds, salary, retirement savings, advisors, interest rates, mortgages, investments, rising or declining markets, etc. All language around aspects of monetary knowledge and financial health. It’s an important area to give attention to, since no one wants to end up as a pauper living under a bridge.

In the midst of a world a lot like ours, filled with folks worried about getting ahead, Jesus reminded his listeners of the ultimate investment:

Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

A challenging teaching and a good reminder. Thieves invent new ways to steal, money takes wings, shiny pretty things rust away while moths nibble on the rest. My heart rests with its treasure, and my soul is best served by wealth built in the heavens.

Matthew 6:19-21

Photo by Carl Tronders

Last weekend I performed a wedding. The young couple exchanged vows on top of a mountain in Colorado, a beautiful setting to celebrate the start of their life together.

I always enjoy reading lines from 1 Corinthians 13 at a wedding. Here’s a few verses you’ll recognize: Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

I also pointed out a verse found later in that same chapter: When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I grew up, I put childish ways behind me. I encouraged the bride and groom to think through the words again, this time in light of their adulthood.

Love is patient. Your patience will be tested in marriage in ways you cannot imagine. Little things will annoy you. Ask God to help you love patiently.

Love is kind. When you argue, you will be tempted to be harsh in your words and uncaring in your hearts. In those times, ask God to make you kind-hearted toward each other.

Love keeps no record of wrongs. You will be tempted to keep a scoreboard, one showing your wonderfulness (your wins) and your spouse’s cluelessness (their losses). Don’t keep score. Ask the Lord for love that wipes your scoreboard clean.

I tried to move from flowery feelings to the reality of living with someone for years. This is not a pie in the sky passage—it’s a hard work passage. I encouraged my young friends to read 1 Corinthians 13 often. Memorize it, pray through it and ask the Lord to make it true in their lives.

The same goes for you and me. These words guide not just married life but all of adult life. Hitched to someone or not, these are remarkably potent words to guide our lives and relationships.

1 Corinthians 13

Photo: Background of this wedding in the mountains