Keep it Simple – Gnats and Camels

Greetings Dear Reader,

I wonder what comes to mind when one reads “gnats and camels” and he or she is not versed in the whit of Jesus.  Those unfamiliar with how Jesus interacted with others may not realize that he at times was quite funny.  I will speak to that in a later post but for now I wish to provide a little context.

Jesus is speaking to the Pharisees; the religious leaders of his day.  He address the fact that they have neglected the weightier matters of the law they are supposed to live by as examples.  Matthew 23:23-24 “How horrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees! You hypocrites! You give [God] one-tenth of your mint, dill, and cumin. But you have neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness. These are the most important things in Moses' Teachings. You should have done these things without neglecting the others. You blind guides! You strain gnats [out of your wine], but you swallow camels”

Everything about what we do to complicate the teachings of Christ is answered in this accusation.  If we neglect justice, grace, and mercy but insist on the minor things involved in our preferences we make it difficult for others to follow Christ.  We create barriers to faith by our actions. 

I must pay attention to the simple basic truths of the gospel if I hope to say anything that has veracity concerning Christ.  It is not that there is not a place for ritual or common practices.  It is, however, vital that those practices be much less important than the ministration of faithfulness, mercy, justice, generosity, kindness, and love.

There is no thing that I can demand of another as a way to Christ that is genuine if it is not preceded by my living out the all of the social aspects of the gospel.  Imagine how ridiculous we look trying to swallow our camels when we are trying to share the truth of Christ.  Imagine how pitiful we are gagging on gnats after we have swallowed the camel. 

Following Christ is simple.  If I do not live what Christ commands then I have nothing to say to anyone else about it.  Camel swallowing is right out.   

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, “That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”