"Just A Humble Opinion"

A willing soul enters the conversation:

With all due respect:

Preaching moral truths is what Jesus did - regardless of who might have "tuned him out" or the negative repercussions of his words.

These days, I'm quite sure that a pastor will not be thought to be aspiring to become a king and sentenced to capital punishment for encouraging parishioners "...to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God." If views of parishioners and political parties do not reflect those biblical truths - it is their problem, not yours. 

Just my humble opinion.


Thanks again for keeping the discussion going.  It is refreshing to hear from someone who care so much.  Your challenges are alway -- always -- welcome.  

First!  You are right, of course, about what Jesus preached.  And thousands listen to him.  And followed him for what he taught.  Many did not!  In todays world, of "the church shopping mentality," there is a very real concern about ruffling feather for fear becoming a statistic among those churches with declining worship attendance.  I will be fair enough, with myself to admit, that serving a congregation with a history of exoduses, I was cautious to a fault. 

Point of clarification!  For those of you who don't know, there are four given readings for each Sunday of the year.  It is easy to avoid preaching a hard truth, in one you don't want to deal with, by using one of the other texts.  My habit was to use the Gospel reading (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John).   There are just a few assigned Gospel text that have given me the sweats through the years.  Interestingly enough!  The Gospel for Nov.5 -- Matthew 23: 1-12  see below -- was not normally one of those texts I avoided.   Yet, when I read Jesus' words, this last Monday morning, I found myself slipping into caution.  Only because of the recent news concerning relationship between our  national leaders and Russian leaders. And the denial in both camps of any truth in the "rumors."  I felt relief that I wasn't the one to honor the needed message.  Because,  all of the assigned readings called for standing with Jesus.  No possible avoidance!  Hypocritical behavior!  Speaking one thing and doing another is a no no!  NO BUTS! 

Here is my seIf-diagnosis!  I have alway been a person that has colored inside the line.  At least in my younger years!  I followed the rules a fault, so to speak.   Expectations on the pastoral office are many!  Are they fair, or wise, or well thought out?  I have my questions in that regard.  But they are there none the less!  And I have honored them.  Like it or not!  And one of them is to keep the flock together.  Feed them so they come back to hear more about the love of God.  

Every once in awhile my crayon got messy!  I did break with certain expectation!  But that never included dishonoring the the privilege of preaching God's word.  That is a most humbling task to me!  Always to be prayerfully studied and delivered.  I did that!  However!  I will admit that in the last ten years my crayon was sorely tempted! I have longed to put political bumper sticker on my car.  Even though I do not like bumper sticker!  But as a pastor I felt unable to do that!  Is the "right"?  No!  As an individual American I am free to put whatever I want on my car.  

My crayon has been doing a lot of pushing on the lines lately.

 Secondly!  You may remember that one of the Bible quote I used, more that a few time, was the one you chose to quote from Micah.  The first three years of my Call, to this most recent congregation,  that was my theme.   Another theme, was Jesus request to love others through the position of a servant.  I have never been cautious when it come to how Jesus ask us to live together.  However I didn't carry that to world leaders.  And their need to have it their way at all cost.   Saying that!  I did often approach the issues national leadership in the prayers of the people.  Especially in the last year. 

1 Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, 

2 "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat; 

3 therefore, do whatever they teach you and follow it; but do not do as they do, for they do not practice what they teach. 

4 They tie up heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on the shoulders of others; but they themselves are unwilling to lift a finger to move them 

5 They do all their deeds to be seen by others; for they make their phylacteries broad and their fringes long. 

6 They love to have the place of honor at banquets and the best seats in the synagogues, 

7 and to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have people call them rabbi. 

8 But you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all students. 

9 And call no one your father on earth, for you have one Father—the one in heaven. 

10 Nor are you to be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Messiah. 

11The greatest among you will be your servant. 

12 All who exalt themselves will be humbled, and all who humble themselves will be exalted.