More than Moments
My morning routine and daily routines have changed over the years. I’ve been the college student who wakes up late with just enough time to make it to class. I have been an I.T. consultant who wakes up late because of working on a server late. I’ve even tried to be the guy who gets up early for morning devotions and coffee. Now, I wake up a little early when I can to pray, read scripture, and then rush to help get my daughter ready for her day at daycare so Elizabeth to take and drop her off before she heads into the school to teach. I’ve also had much experience working full-time. Most of my jobs have involved a component of surprise and flux. There are days you have a perfect plan, and then they would be thrown off for many reasons.
Like many Christians, there have been times when my understanding of the Christian life looked like separate moments that fought with each other. Some moments were for loving God through worship, some for loving God through prayer, some for loving God by serving the community, and still others were for all the worldly things we have to get done. However, as I have read and reflected on this passage (Mark 12:28-44) over the years, I see that these moments aren’t supposed to be separate from our daily lives and vocation, no matter how seemingly different each life may be.
Jesus answered the teacher of the law’s question in a way that wasn’t surprising. Summarizing the law was common among religious leaders and faithful Jewish followers. I can imagine them sitting around the fire, having deep conversations and creating each other’s summaries. The teacher affirms Jesus’ view, again, showing that Jesus will not be discredited. Jesus responds to this teacher by saying he isn’t far from the kingdom. As a side note, this does show that sometimes pastors (myself included) have over-emphasized the failure and brokenness of the religious leaders. There were a few that were starting to get who Jesus was and had a healthy understanding of God’s law.
After this interaction, Jesus continues teaching. He clarifies the Messiah’s lineage as from the family of David but, more importantly, from God. He boldly warns about avoiding the teachers consumed by their image and hurting God’s faithful people. Then, today’s passage ends with Jesus observing the happenings in the temple and calling the disciples to Himself to show the widow’s meager offerings as more significant than those from the religious leaders and the wealthy. It is fitting that Mark closes with this teaching after the opening, where Jesus summarizes the purpose of the law. The widow gave everything she had. We aren’t called to share a moment here and there with God. God expects all of our lives to worship Him. The closer we draw to God, the more we love Him and worship him with our entire beings. The more His image and kingdom ethic shine in all moments of our lives, including loving our neighbor as God loves us.