+Z’ev

Today’s assigned readings:

Jeremiah 36:1-10, Acts 14:8-18, Luke 7:36-50

And Jesus said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.
Luke 7:50

The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed…
Acts 14:9

Paul and Jesus - ie, the same Author, whom we call “Luke” - use the same phrase: faith/loyalty to save/heal. Same words (different endings, of course) in Greek.

Recently one prominent conservative commentator said, “We just want Jews to be perfected, as they say.” She was referring to their conversion to Christianity. This came up in a conversation yesterday and I noted that I was most annoyed at otherwise reasonable people who suddenly agreed with Anne Coulter here. They might be pro-peace Roman Catholics who allow, in their libertarian world-view, for gay people to get married: but Anne’s right, the Jews need Jesus. Because everyone does. And the question I was asked was: “Why does anyone need him as long as they understand him?”

I think that’s a valid question and one to which I have no answer. As I often point out, the Greek word rendered “believe” means “be loyal to”. The Greek word rendered “save” means “make whole.” When applied to humans - loyalty to Jesus makes us whole - this sounds akin to the rabbinic idea of “healing the world” or “tikkun olam”. (For a history of that rabbinic idea, see Zeek Magazine). But the Jesus thing is certainly “one soul at a time”. How do we apply my friend’s question? “Why does anyone need him as long as they understand him?”

The Gospel tells an odd story. Simon, a Pharisee, invites Jesus into his house and even seems to get some of his teaching. This man is compared to a woman who says nothing, only weeps and kisses Jesus’ feet. Jesus runs down a list: Simon didn’t wash Jesus’ feet (a sign of hospitality) but this woman cried on them. Simon didn’t anoint Jesus’ feet but this woman did. Simon didn’t give Jesus the kiss of peace, but this woman has been kissing Jesus feet since he got there.

She loves much. She never says a prayer, she never assents to teaching, she never repents, even. Yet here she is, committing Orthopraxy (right action) instead of Orthodoxy (right belief). The Pharisee has all the right belief down. He knows all the right stuff. But he fails to do the right things. He doesn’t understand Jesus, even though Jesus is sitting in his own house. The woman understands him… (as evidenced by her works of charity) and so gets him.

How many times do I wonder about what is right belief when Jesus worries about my action? How many times do I concern myself with creedal statements or purity of thought when what Jesus says, over and over, is: it’s what you do that matters. Even the son (in the Parable) who says “No” to his father - and then thinks better of it and goes out to do what he was asked. Feed the hungry. Clothe the naked. Tikkun Olam - heal the world, make the world whole again.

These are the actions of one who understands Jesus. One who understands Jesus doesn’t need him: such a one is Jesus, active and present in the world.

Much love,

Huw