Culture V Compassion.....

We did an assignment in 2IC. I was really surprised how most people actually gravitated away from individual cultures, of nations, but rather spoke on issues of nature and character. No-one spoke on Pinoy culture of vampirism; drinking blood. And how that relates to God's culture, blood is life and prohibited to eat/drink. Today I would like to speak on Jewish culture. Deut 21: 17 states very clearly, that the firstborn, has a double portion of inheritance upon the death of the father. This gave immense prestige and honour for the first son. Yet time and time again, whilst this was law, both pre and post law, this was overturned in Scripture. Seth not Cain. Jacob not Esau. Ephraim was blessed not Manasseh. Joseph not Reuben. Solomon not Amnon. The list goes on. This was the culture, and the command of God. Yet it was time and again, overturned by God. In the NT, we also have an issue of inheritance. Luke 12: 13.Here there is a legal issue, about inheritance. The exact manner of the issue was not stated; was he the older, demanding his double portion, or was he the younger, and was not given any. Jesus response is not one of culture, law, but one of grace, and warning. Jesus spoke not on the issue of legalism, which he could have, but he spoke on the greed within the heart. Even when we take what is legally ours, but we do not have compassion in certain situations, we are actually law breakers. Law breakers of God's culture over and above human culture. In all situations, we must be careful, that by claiming our rights, we actually reveal our greediness. Being a Christian, at times is very difficult. And many times we asked to "lose" according to the culture of the land, so that we may "win" in God's culture of compassion. Don't always claim what's your by right, but open your heart to the need. Grace, not law.

MCC Admin

9 Iyyar 5783