GETTING THE BIG PICTURE

In order to “get the big picture,” we have plenty of sayings or proverbs to guide us in this quest: Don’t major on the minors; First things first; Get your priorities in order. Jesus said it best, “You have neglected the more important matters of the law- justice, mercy, and faithfulness,” Matthew 23:23. He was speaking not to the world, but to the most religious people of His day.

Now Jesus and the Holy Spirit did not reveal this conversation to us as a condemnation of the faithful. Rather, it is a “road sign”, a warning for us who are seeking to travel in the “straight and narrow way”. Certainly, we must ask, “What would you have me to do, Lord?” about worship, doctrine, correcting ourselves, and righteous living. But we must not overlook the weightier matters.

Is my worship from the heart or concerned about “dotting the i’s and crossing the t's’”? Is baptism about the command or more about my heart’s response to the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? The Jews focused on the temple worship and its rituals, commands, dates, and days, and forgot to examine their own heart, 2 Cor. 13:5.

Is it possible that I may focus on following the commands, on getting worship and doctrine exact, and yet fail to ask the more important questions: Am I really growing more Christ–like? Am I really humble of spirit counting others “better than myself?” Do I love others “with a pure heart fervently?” Am I looking for ways to serve others? Am I tender of heart, forgiving, and kind?

Is not this the Big Picture that the Pharisees missed?

— Hugh Price