Pharisee Dave And His Fornicatin' Neighbours
The knock came at the door early Saturday morning. I swung open the door, ready to launch a verbal assault upon an inconsiderate neighbour. Imagine my surprise when it was Jesus. Quickly I changed my demeanour from scowl to smile. He readily accepted the invitation to come in. The house was a mess, but from the first I discerned he had no interest in such matters. Thus, clumsily, I began the conversation.
Funny to see you here. I mean, don’t get me wrong. I’m glad you’ve come. It’s just, it’s just I would think you would be more interested in talking with the neighbours next door. I mean, they’re a real mess.
He just looked at me, and said nothing. That made me more than a bit uncomfortable.
I’ve had a real problem with these people. How dare they flaunt the Law of God, and ridicule the institution of marriage with such sinful lifestyle? They shack up, and don’t seem to care about their offence toward a godly neighbour. I’ve made sure to talk with others in my church about the sins of these people. Fornicators! Whenever I see them, out in the yard or at the mailbox, I make sure they can tell by my facial expression that I am not happy. And, when God so leads, I fully intend to talk with them about their problem. They may not listen, but they need to hear what I have to say.
“PDave, do you love your neighbours?”
He called me PDave… Jesus must read my blog!
Well, I want these people to repent of their sins. And I want them to go to church. Think what a testimony they could give! And they could tell of how I lived next door and I lead them to the Lord-
“Do you think your judgments, and your intended confrontation, will make them change their ways?”
Maybe not. But it will sure make me feel better.
“Who said this is about you?”
It’s not about me? Right, it’s not about me! I remember. J-O-Y: Jesus, Others, Yourself. That’s right, isn’t it Lord?
“PDave, do you think your neighbours are persons of value, as they are right now?”
I don’t like how they act. Or what they do. You gotta admit they are lowlifes, to do what they are doing. And, no shame. I’ll just tell you right now, I don’t care for them.
“I guess you should know what I think about them. Let’s see- I have carefully and lovingly made them in my image. I died upon a cross for them. And, I very much want to spend eternity in fellowship with your neighbours.”
I’m thinking they are not very attractive, or likeable.
“So, PDave, you don’t like them? You know what I think?”
Silence.
“I love them. Not just as they may become, but as they are this very moment.”
I guess that’s why He’s God. I’m sure glad I’m not God, having to put up with such riffraff.
“I’ve a question for you, PDave. Why do you think your neighbours engage in this behaviour? And, why do you think they seem to have a lack of respect for your faith?”
I think it is because they hate God, and like to irritate me.
“They don’t hate me. They don’t even know me. The only things they think they know about me is what they have come to see in people like yourself. And, they are not seeing a very good reflection of God, right now.”
I’ve told those folks at church they need to straighten up. If they would go to church a little more regularly, and pay their tithes better, then worldly people like these fornicators would know we love Jesus. And they might get saved.
“I’m concerned they are going to go thru life without experiencing my love. And, that’s why I’ve put you here.”
What?
“It is not by accident that you live here, and have these people as your neighbours. I want you to be their friend. That’s why I’ve put you here.”
Wait a minute, Lord…
PDave, Your neighbours are very much like you.
No way!
“They want to love and be loved. They want to be at peace with life. They want to be happy. They need exactly what I have to offer.”
Judgement. That’s what they need. Let ‘em taste a bit of your anger, and they will change their ways. I’ll tell ‘em.
Passing judgment is not your job. There’s already quite enough judgment going around. Your job is not to judge them.
Whose job is it?
“Mine”
Well, what’s my job?
Jesus smiled. And I could tell, by his sigh, this was going to be a long conversation.
08.13.07 (2:11 pm) [
edit]
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (11:49 am)
You said:
"Passing judgement is not your job..."
I say:
Amen! Pastor Dave! Double... no, TRIPLE Amen!!!
Great post! Just a really, really terrific lesson told in such an honest and real way.
Kudos, brother!
~Kurt
posted by:
bawdy (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (12:28 pm)
Jesus put them next to you for a reason? What did they do to deserve that? heh
Great post. Great message.
posted by:
intricategirl (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (12:47 pm)
Man, that Jesus guy is always popping up at the worst times for me too. Just when I get started on a good rant about my tenants, or that lady with all the stupid bumper stickers all over her car. And it would be one thing if he just tore into me, but it's just one of those looks like he's waiting for me to get it. And he knows how smart I am, so it's not like I can just play stupid.
And then he's always wanting money. It's not for him, mind you, but the dude's like a telemarketer! I'll be just about to buy a new pair of shoes when I pass by someone who doesn't have any on. I try telling him that they probably don't want stilettos if they live on the streets, but instead of taking the hint, he just says that maybe I can do something about that too. I try telling him that I can't afford to buy a pair for both of us, and he just gives me that look again. ARGH!
But he's never very attentive when I need something. Like just yesterday, I asked him for a million dollars, 'cause I totally need it. All he said was, "That's what you're asking for?!"
Hmph. I just don't know about the guy. I don't know if I can get behind all that hippie, love-your-neighbors stuff. Too difficult. ;););)
posted by:
mimi (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (1:04 pm)
thanks for sharing such an honest lesson...your lesson and ours! xoxox
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (2:49 pm)
Reply to: intricategirl
Yep. Sounds like you've had some of these 'sit-n-talk' times with Jesus, too. I go into the meeting thinking I've got some things to tell Him. Later I walk away, realizing most of what I had to say wasn't all that important, and what He had to say was amazing. Not that I feel all that good about realizing anew that I'm such a putz. But His insistant love is amazing. That feels good.
Thanks. I really, really appreciate your thoughtful reply.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (2:50 pm)
Reply to: mimi
It's a lesson well taught. I haven't passed the class yet. Still a student, often a poor one. Thanks.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (2:52 pm)
Reply to: bawdy
Actually a good point you have made. Lots of times when some of us get to thinking we're God's greatest gift to humanity (although we would never admit it), in reality we're a pain in the butt. Not me, of course.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (2:54 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Here's my greatest challenge with a matter such as this- I know most of the answers. Mine is not a problem of knowledge, but of practice. Can you relate?
posted by:
fractalmom (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (3:24 pm)
GAK ! I absolutely HATE it when that happens !!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (4:07 pm)
Oh no, the ‘sigh’ … here it comes ‘the look’ … !!!
Okay, now I just keep telling myself, ‘you can do it, you know you can’ …
Put it into practice – now!
It sounds so easy, and I try, but ‘sigh’
*she is praying; with His help, I can do it!
Amen!
posted by:
kurtmaddox (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (4:30 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
I thought you said you weren't going to stop judging folks and now you're talking about executions -- make up your mind PD! Geesh!
It has been said by my very best friends that if I could figure out how to apply even 10% of what I already now...
Others have said that me reading another book is about as useful as Pam Anderson getting another physical "enhancement" ;-)
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (6:53 pm)
Reply to: fractalmom
It's good. It just doesn't feel good at the time.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (6:54 pm)
Reply to: auntconi
It's a life-long process. The imagery of the New Testament is that we are being, slowly and surely and painfully, conformed into the image of Christ through the experiences of life. No pain, no gain. Now that is not in the Bible, but it should be.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (6:56 pm)
Reply to: kurtmaddox
Pam Anderson. Who is that? And, don't go checking the surfing history of my computer. All those googled images of Pam Anderson? Uh...for prayer. Yeah, that's it.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.13.07 (8:50 pm)
Reply to: PastorDave
~ 'no pain, no gain' ~ that's what they used to tell us in 'exercise class' ~ and here I thought it was only related to the exercises.
'sigh'
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
08.16.07 (4:57 am)
I wonder what he would say about my neighbors? LOL
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.16.07 (9:37 am)
Reply to: scubadiva
I was thinking that you live in a Baptist Retirement Village. Am I close?
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
08.16.07 (5:54 pm)
Nope. There's an Episcopal church about a mile down the road, does that count?
posted by:
FinalyFree (
reply)
post date:
08.17.07 (9:29 pm)
Ok, let me see if I've got this right...Jesus comes to see you AND Surrogate?
:)
Nice.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.19.07 (9:37 am)
Reply to: FinalyFree
~ Hmmm, was a wonderin' that same thing.
It looks like PastorDave and surrogate are 'buds' afterall!
Kind of makes one wonder about all the 'chitchat' between the two of them, eh? I guess they want to keep us guessing, you think?
posted by:
LadyG (
reply)
post date:
08.20.07 (5:32 pm)
Excellent post PD, glad I got back in time to read this, I love this post, really get you to thinking, will make sure hubby reads this, he will love it.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.07 (8:18 am)
Reply to: scubadiva
I'm confused. Thought I knew you well. Now you tell me you are neither a nun-in-training, nor a resident of the Baptist Retirement Village. I guess I really don't know you. You had me fooled.
posted by:
PastorDave (
reply)
post date:
08.21.07 (8:19 am)
Reply to: LadyG
I appreciate you and your husband taking time to read this stuff. Hope the flower business is going well.
posted by:
scubadiva (
reply)
post date:
08.21.07 (9:34 am)
Reply to: PastorDave
Apparently your reading comprehension skills are somewhat impaired. I'm nowhere near retirement age. And I show too much cleavage to be a nun.
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.21.07 (2:25 pm)
Reply to: scubadiva
~ hehehe ~ you are sooo silly!
posted by:
auntconi (
reply)
post date:
08.21.07 (2:26 pm)
PDave ~ do you agree that scubadiva is silly? hehehe
