Finding Fault

Today's readings: Ps 119:145-176; Mic 2:1-13; Acts 23:24-35; Luke 7:18-35

Imagine holding a party for a hundred people. Ninety-nine are perfectly behaved, and one drinks a little too much and is a spectacle on the dance floor. When you tell the story of your party, which guest will you talk about the most? Imagine reading an incredibly beautiful poem, and finding a misspelling in the last line. Would the beauty of the poem be diminished for you? Is it human nature to focus on the negative, even in the face of abundant positives? The Bible tells us this tendency has existed for a long time – especially when it comes to preachers and preaching.

When the prophet Micah denounced Israel’s social evils, he pointed out how the people did not want to hear any preaching that addressed their shortcomings. They said things like “one should not preach of such things; disgrace will not overtake us” (Mic 2:3). Rather, Micah tells Israel they would prefer a preacher who would “preach to you of wine and strong drink” (v. 11). We all love a preacher who can make us feel good about ourselves, and none of us want to be made to feel like dirt every Sunday. Still, a real minister needs to lovingly rebuke and guide us when necessary. We should not be too quick to find fault when a preacher challenges us. Some pastors feel so pressured to always please the congregation, they won’t even address controversial issues.

The gossip about John the Baptist and Jesus showed just how hard it is to please the people. John was an ascetic who lived in the wilderness, ate off the land, and abstained from alcohol. Some of the people, put off by his unconventional choices, claimed he was possessed by a demon. Jesus, on the other hand, ate and drank freely with all kinds of people. Never too quick to be satisfied, the people called him a glutton and a drunkard. John and Jesus both offered very challenging messages. Is it possible that finding fault with the preachers’ personal lives made it easier to dismiss the difficult message? Is this a tendency we can recognize in people – including ourselves! – today?

When we begin to criticize a preacher, or anyone who challenges our way of thinking, let’s examine our motives. Some criticism may be genuine, but some may be a way of deflecting a message we really need to hear.

Comfort: Listening to a hard message is better than living in ignorance.

Challenge: When you criticize others, ask what that says about you.

Prayer: Teach me, Lord, to love the hard word.

Evening readings: Ps 128, 129, 130


Tomorrow's readings: Ps 131, 132, 133; Mic 3:1-8; Acts 24:1-23; Luke 7:36-50