Jesus upset norms and long established customs. This was more than the moment that He turned over the tables of the money changers. Throughout His ministry He sought to bring Israel back to the true worship of God and with a real love-centered ethic. He said, “You have heard it said, but I say to you…” He uncovers our “white washed tombs full of dead men’s bones.” He challenges those whose greatest preachers and prophets are those who lived in the past. He rebukes ceremonial washings while walking around with an unclean heart. He declared that tithing can not cover injustice. This kind of Jesus is not welcome in the congregation, so we shape Him to be the One who always approves of everything we do. The banned Jesus will always create an anemic and weak church.
“But woe to you Pharisees! For you tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass by justice and the love of God. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.” Luke 11:42 (NKJV)
