Jesus’ Ministry
January 23, 2019
Scripture Reading: Psalm 19
Moreover by the [laws, precepts, fear and ordinances of the Lord], is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression. Psalm 19:12-13
The sad truth is we are often the one who is less likely to discern our own errors. I thank God regularly for spell and grammar checkers. I am amazed at what I miss. Even these help sources miss some of my goofs. I make many of the same mistakes over and over. I key in the word “are” instead of “our” or vice versa. I am also bad about editing something that changes the tense of a noun and not noting that I also need to change the tense of the verb. My eighth-grade teacher would be appalled. I have also discovered that the rules of grammar have changed since I was in the eight-grade. I still refuse to add “’s” to make plural a word ending in “s” that has got to be against some permanent requirement of which the current grammar checkers are unaware. Is it possible that all aspects of my life may suffer from the same blindness? Where is my soul checker, where is my conscience checker, where is my values checker? Have any of these rules changed since they were first encoded into my being?
Christ exemplified the constant need to run a check on our attitudes and behavior. His interactions with others are often puzzling to his disciples who see the world through a different set of lenses than he. I love the story of Jesus and the Syrophoenician women* where he seems to model a change in his own perception of the stranger before our very eyes. Maintaining are relationship with God and practicing regular self-examination are important. Trying to envision ourselves in another person’s role for which we have little understanding also helps. Being intentional in our attitudes and behaviors helps refresh our cluttered consciences.
Prayer:
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. Amen (Psalm 19:14)
*See Matthew 15:21-28