Links for today’s readings:
Aug 3 Read: Isaiah 63 Listen: (3:25) Read: Psalm 139 Listen: (2:26)
Scripture Focus: Isaiah 63.7-8
6 I trampled the nations in my anger;
in my wrath I made them drunk
and poured their blood on the ground.”
7 I will tell of the kindnesses of the Lord,
the deeds for which he is to be praised,
according to all the Lord has done for us—
yes, the many good things
he has done for Israel,
according to his compassion and many kindnesses.
Psalm 139.19-20
19 If only you, God, would slay the wicked!
Away from me, you who are bloodthirsty!
20 They speak of you with evil intent;
your adversaries misuse your name.
Reflection: Carving Jesus Into an Idol
By John Tillman
Imagine a warrior who single-handedly kills scores of enemies while defending his family. It shouldn’t be hard. Many films and TV shows tell similar stories. When the bloodied hero (or heroine) rises from battle, having saved what was dear to them, we cheer.
But what if the blood-soaked hero is God?
Isaiah describes the tender loving-kindness of God right after a bloody battle in which God (or God’s servant) tramples nations in anger. Psalm 139 has tender-hearted lines about God’s care for life in the womb, but also imprecatory calls for the death of the wicked.
Do passages like these make you uncomfortable? My discomfort with these passages has to do with their abuse, not their true meaning.
Don’t misunderstand these passages of divine violence. These actions are not ours to emulate. Vengeance, when it comes, belongs to God, not us. Our role is pulling people out from under wrath, not pushing them toward it.
Some, however, twist these passages to bless “hatred” (Ps 139.22) of certain groups and to sacralize violence that defends themselves, their family, and their “culture.” (Which usually means their race.) The Nazi regime wooed and corrupted many German Christians by celebrating Jesus as “the greatest warrior” and not a “sufferer.”
“Warrior Jesus” is a false Jesus, but he’s not the only one.
God has revealed himself to us most fully in the image of Jesus (Col 1.15; Heb 1.3; John 14.9). But many people treat Jesus as a block of wood, stone, or metal that they can carve, chip, or shape until he fits comfortably in their life without poking, prodding, or challenging them.
We often carve Jesus into an idol that blesses our sins and condemns others’ sins. The violent carve away Christ’s compassion, mercy, and long-suffering love. Libertines carve away Christ’s calls for holiness. The slothful carve away Christ’s commissioning us to work for the kingdom. The legalists carve away Christ’s free and gracious offer to all humanity with no barriers.
We are supposed to conform our image to Jesus, not the other way around (Rom 12.2; 1 Pet 1.14). Put down your carving and shaping tools and accept Jesus as scripture shows him. He is the king on a donkey, the servant with a towel, the sufferer on the cross, and the coming, conquering King of Heaven.
Beware any version of Jesus who demands no repentance, challenges no assumptions, never warns of destruction, blesses all your desires, and confirms all your cultural dogmas.
Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons
This is my Son, the Chosen One. Listen to him. — Luke 9.35
– From The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summertime by Phyllis Tickle.
Read more: Missing the Kingdom for the Empire
We…can miss Jesus’ kingdom when looking for Empire-like solutions to our problems.
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