So this guy interrupts Christ perturbed that his brother is unlawfully withholding his portion of the family inheritance… I’d be pissed too.

Someone in the crowd said to Him, "Teacher, tell my brother to divide the family inheritance with me." But He [Jesus] said to him, "Man, who appointed Me a judge or arbitrator over you?" Then He said to them, "Beware, and be on your guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions." - Luke 12:13-15

Do you see it? This guy comes with a legitimate complaint about his brother expecting the Peace Maker to do his thing. But Jesus refuses to go after the offensive law-breaking-inheritance-withholding brother.

Instead of confronting the obvious sinner, Jesus goes after the heart of the apparent “Victim”, the perturbed brother, warning him of the issues in his life… greed, the idolatry of material security…

One of  the justifications I make in failing/refusing to offer my strength, love…  or gifting is because of the offenses of others. You don’t love me, I don’t love you… neener neener neener!

The often legitimate faults/failures/sins/defects/abrasive-relational-style of another is my justification to not be the man, the lover God intended me to be. The man I truly am.

And so… while railing against others He often allows me to rant and then with sympathetic warmth interrupts me saying something along the lines of, “You know what really disturbs me about the whole situation?”

Still miffed* and expecting His affirmation of the injustice done, i ask, “What?”.

Without hesitation He responds, “You”. “Your hiding/sin… your little boy approach to life.”

And then the invitation to learn and know in a much deeper way, His great love, forgiveness, delight in me and call to live a holy, loving life.

(How many times i have learned this lesson… over and over, each time on a little deeper level? AGHHHHHH………)

“…he who has been forgiven little loves little." [And he who has been forgiven much loves much… ]

Read Luke 7:36-50.

And why don’t you love?

– Craig McConnell

Notes:

* “Miffed” = A self protective editing choice… personal synonyms would be: enraged, vengence seeking, calling-down-lightening angry…