It was a “marathon of preaching…”
Jesus was “on a roll…”
High on his “priority list” was the “obvious poor behavior” being exhibited by some supposedly “very religious people…”
Religion is not a “show.”
It is not a “game” either.
This is meant to be “serious stuff.”
It is about God and you. We are talking “salvation.” “Afterlife,” heck “all of eternity…”
You don’t make “this” into a “sham!” It is not “contrived, feigned, insincere, phony or manufactured!”
Come on guys, get it together!
You folks are “hypocrites,” “actors,” playing a part…take off the masks, now…
And Jesus was not a fan.
There is something known as Tzuh-DAH-kuh and the “Obligation of Tsedakah” –was well known…
But some of you are making a mockery of it – a show! It is all about “almsgiving!” Without “alms,” where are the widows and orphans and the resident aliens? They will starve to death!
The word “almsgiving” comes from the same Hebrew word for “righteous.” “It is righteous to give alms.”
You have a “religious and moral obligation” to do what is right. It is to be a “spontaneous act” of goodwill. We are talking “acts of righteousness,” “charity,” “justice,” and “fairness.” YOU are to have care and concern for others! It is not all about YOU, sorry!
What is with “ringing a bell” every time you attempt and do a good deed? And what’s with that “gong?” A “marching band”…really…all to draw attention to yourself? It is a bit much, a tad over the edge…don’t cha think?
BE LIKE A MAGICIAN MAN! Channel some Harry Houdini, some David Copperfield, a little Doug Henning or maybe some Penn and Teller…be super discrete, stop calling attention to yourself! It is about them! The others…
And while we are on the subject, let’s talk about prayer…
The Shema is said every morning and evening by every devout Jew. Then, there are the 18 prayers said during the Synagogue Service. There are three “hourly prayers” said at 9:00 A.M., 12:00 P.M., and 3:00 P.M.
Added to these are prayers before and after meals. Then we have the prayers for the sick. Shabbat Prayers. High Holy Day Prayers, Holiday Prayers and Traveler’s Prayers. Remember others, it is not just about YOU!
Then you are free to do your own praying! Again it is not a show for every-one to see and hear. Stop beating your breast. Leave the brass choir at home. Instead pray to your father in secret.
Go into the bathroom and close the door, no one has to know that you are “praying.”
I’ve got one more beef! Things are no different when it comes to fasting. Basically Jesus was not a fan of making a big-huge-harry-spectacle about a simple-religious-practice!
Keep it simple, dude!
Fasting is about self-denial. Denying oneself. It is an act of solidarity. Abstaining from food and drink for one day is no biggie.
The prophets of old were right, it is about unlocking the shackles of injustice, undoing the fetters of bondage, it is about letting the oppressed go free and about sharing your bread with the hungry.
But making yourself all dismal looking and down in the dumps and telling everyone that you meet, that you haven’t eaten anything in three hours time, is a bit much.
It is not about you.
Fast or don’t fast, but keep it hush-hush!
Stop telling everyone about all your wonderful accomplishments, how much you have personally done for so many…
And that money that you gave to that beggar the other day, um, it wasn’t enough for a Big Mac and fries…
So much for telling everyone about four course meal you purchased for him…but I am sure he appreciated the 75 cents…just the same!
God sees all.
God hears all.
God knows all.
He knows the content of your heart.
He knows what you give and he knows what you withhold.
I tell you, man, it’s not all about you.
But it is about your salvation. Your eternity. Your relationship with God…and with others…
Yep, Jesus was on a roll.