Month: April 2021

In Psalm 99 it says that God is equitable. It is an interesting word because it is not the same as equality. Equity is Biblical, it is Christ living among us. It is found in Acts where it talks about each receiving according to their need or according to their ability. We are very quick to talk about all being “equal under the Cross” but that is just not correct.

If you understand the difference between equality and equity then so much more of what Jesus said makes good sense. In every encounter, he gave the person what they needed, he did not give them all of the same things. This seems to have been the problem with the Jewish leadership of His time. They were adamant that everyone was equal. Sadly, those sorts of ideas have a modern ring. “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others” is a quote from Orwell’s book Animal Farm. Jesus was adamant that equality was not enough. He gave every person what they needed and some were equal, some not. Remember, “to those who have been given much, much is expected” (Luke 12:48). That is equity.

Perhaps the problem for us is that we have allowed equality to become our liturgy when what was demanded is equity. What would the Church (Universal) look like if we did it Jesus’ way and every person got what they needed? Think of that, those who have a great deal are responsible for sharing with those who don’t have anything. Does that sound like socialism to the American ear? Perhaps. Is it a statement of equity? Absolutely.

The life Jesus lived among us was all about equity. Each person received (and receives today) what they need. Notice this, not what they want, what they need. Perhaps that is the true point of most of our prayers….to find the equitable way. To pray that each person receives the grace they need to make it through the day, through life. Is this not a better way to go about life? Is it more difficult? It is better and it is much more difficult because we have to discern what people need, each one, and not just what we think they should have.

Any parent of more than one child knows that you love each of your kids, but it is not the same is it? Each child is loved but in an individual way, in a way that is personalized to what that child needs. Isn’t that God’s grace in action? It is personal, it is not equal, it is equitable.

TMM

I have heard, all of my life in church things like many are called but few are chosen and you must only enter through the narrow gate, which was explained as a metaphor for Christ. If that sounds like a very exclusive club, I agree. It seems to eliminate everyone who is not Christian doesn’t it? Or, does it?

Living in God, living God’s way is not an exclusive club. You do not have to be a Christian to live God’s way. People from all over the world live lives of kindness and caring and giving. So what is this “narrow gate” all about? It is my understanding that the “narrow gate” was used by shepherds to ensure that each sheep could be counted. The sheep could only go through the gate one at a time. It was done to count each sheep individually. It was done so that the shepherd could know each and every sheep. It was done so that the sheep could not get through except alone.

It dawned on me that the “narrow gate” is not about excluding anyone. It is instead about having to go through the “gate” alone, one by one. We cannot find someone to walk with us through the gate, nor can we have someone go there for us, instead we have to get through by ourselves. The second thing that dawned on me is that entering through that gate alone means the Christ, the Living God sees everyone individually, gets to know and understand us individually.

Perhaps we have missed the point. That narrow gate is the way in which the God of All of life knows us personally. That “one-at-a-time” approach is what makes the God of all a personal God. Throughout time, people have had to have a god. The God that is the one Christ talked about as being above all others is unique. This Creator wants a personal relationship with each one of us. Now, does the “narrow gate” make sense? That gate is how we are one on one with God, how God “lays eyes on us” directly. No other deity that I have encountered in study or travel takes a personal and individual interest in the created.

So, this metaphor is much more about one-on-one love with the Creator of all than it is about excluding anyone. Perhaps that is why the metaphor is taught in other ways, it is very personal to be one – on- one with the Living God. That is very intimate and most of us feel unworthy of that deep intimacy. We are NOT unworthy. That one life sacrificed made all of creation worthy. It makes all of creation able to be aware of the intimacy the Living God wants to share with us.

TMM