When Jesus Picks A Fight

In the movie ‘Braveheart,’ there’s a scene where the ragtag army of Scottish volunteers is lined up to do battle against the well trained troops of King Edward. Someone turns to William Wallace and asks “What are you going to do now?” And Wallace replies, “I’m going to 'peck' a fight.”

As I read the gospels, it seems to me that on more than one occasion Jesus 'pecked' His own fight. Rather than make peace, there were times when He went out of His way to stir dissension. Most often it had to do with the Sabbath.

The way the Sabbath was commonly understood symbolized everything that was wrong with first century Judaism. As such, this was where Jesus drew His bead. It was as if being a good Jew had little to do with one’s heart toward God or the way others were treated, but was a matter of how much work one didn’t do one day a week. The Sabbath was so misunderstood it was allowed to be a hindrance to people doing the very thing God did call them to – namely, doing good and showing mercy to others.

Modern religion is really no different. The holiness movement substituted lipstick and jewelry for the Sabbath. Being a good Christian was a matter of abstaining from both. Charismatics substitute raised hands and spiritual gifts. Traditional evangelicals trust in toted Bibles and faithful attendance.

I think the Lord’s problem with the Sabbath was it had become a shallow outward work that people practiced in place of living with a real heart for God and compassion for others. A primary temptation for every new generation of Christians is to substitute something outward for real relationship. And no matter how relevant or winsome the outward expression might be, the Lord is equally opposed to all religious substitutes. There can never be an acceptable substitute for loving God and being merciful towards others.