Grace

Matthew 21:41 - They answered, "He will painfully destroy those wicked people, and lease the vineyard to other farmers who will give him his fruit in due season."

I can feel the sense of injustice coming from the chief priests and elders here. Yet, Jesus is telling this parable against them. What a great example of how easy it is for us to see what others are doing "wrong," to point fingers. It is so much harder to look at our own wrong actions, partially because we know that it would mean we'd have to change in some way. Yet that is just what Christians are called to do; not only to push back against the harmful actions taken by others, but also to push back against armful actions and attitudes we ourselves take.

Jesus is constantly nudging all of us to get out of our comfort zones and do the things we don't want to do. We're always free to say, "No," but in my experience, no comes with consequences. It's hard to say no to Jesus for long. He is nudging the chief priests and elders here in the same way. They clearly side with the landlord. Although, to be honest, I don't know how I would feel if my son died. Yet, when God, the landlord in the story, gave up his own son, he did no such thing. Perhaps the chief priests and elders are so focused on the law, they have missed understanding the forgiving nature of God. The only person who died was Judas Iscariot, and that was by his own hand because he, too, could not imagine such grace.

It's hard for us to understand that kind of grace, although, it is extended to all of us. It is difficult to comprehend such complete forgiveness; forgiving someone so completely and continuing to offer our love to someone who has harmed us. I'm much more liable to write them off entirely and that's a dangerous habit. The chief priests and the elders are ready to write the farmers off. Assuming there are no extenuating circumstances for their behavior, they would have condemned them all to a painful death without hearing them out. Maybe because it was only a story or maybe they're only supposing.

Either way, my point still stands. Too many black people are killed by the police  before their side of the story is heard. Too many people are marginalized and ignored; oppressed by being treated as a stereotype rather than a living, breathing human being. Too many people focus on the letter of the law rather than the spirit. Too many people are happy to see the Dreamers leave, believing that their problems will then be solved. Too many people are quick to argue it is too soon to  talk about gun control after every school shooting; condemning children and parents to fear, worry, and grief they should not have to live with. Too many people are quick to denounce others.

Jesus calls us to listen instead. Of course, it goes without saying that we do not have to take abuse from another. It's a valid choice but not a requirement. We are free to exit the conversation when it becomes obvious our partner is not arguing in good faith. With that caveat, we are called to listen to that person we were about to write off. It is so hard for me to listen sometimes, especially if I disagree with the person. Listening does not require that we change our minds, but it does require an open heart. We all need God's love; listening is extending God's love.

Today, I confess that I have been quick to write others off. Today, with the help of God's grace, I choose to listen to others instead.