DAILY READING
REFLECTION
Religion Rather than Relationship?
By Dave Mann
We humans are prone to make up our own religion. Religion is something that we are in charge of. We tend to set up committees that decide what is good and appropriate and what is not. Of course, we want to play a key role in such religious committees. Ultimately, the nature and character of the god we create looks and reacts like us. We have created a god in our own likeness. This is the opposite of what the true God did in Genesis 1:26.
The final verse of today’s reading (Luke 11:28) has a keyword we often overlook – rather. Here, that word has the sense of “on the contrary” or “to be distinguished from.” Jesus countered what the people were thinking. With that one word, he challenged people to change how they perceived God’s approval.
In our religious experiences, if we never have the sense that God is challenging us to change the way we think, we just may be creating a god in our own image rather than worshiping the true God who is distinct from our own imagination.
In today’s reading, there are three ways that the people misconstrued the will of God. And we still do it today.
With regard to power -- Some thought that if Jesus had power over evil spirits, it must be that he was in league with the leader of the unclean spirits. Jesus’ response was, “No, but rather, ‘Any kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and a house divided against itself will fall’” (v. 17).
With regard to involvement -- Some thought that if they were not actively opposing what Jesus taught, they must be spiritually okay. Jesus’ response was, “No, but rather, ‘Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters’” (v. 23).
With regard to obedience -- Some thought that if they were related to Jesus in some way (like being his mother), they must be on the good-guy list. Jesus’ response was, “No, but rather, ‘Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it’” (v. 28).
Jesus carefully redirected them then (and us now) toward a better understanding of our relationship with him. Each one of these corrective words in which Jesus redirects us, pulls us into a closer relationship with himself, rather than approving our self-made religion.
PRAYER
Lord God, keep on speaking to me and drawing me into a closer and closer relationship with you. Please do not allow me to create my own religion in which I imagine you to be some sort of deity in my own image. But RATHER I want the real You, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DAVE MANN
I am a Pastor for Internationals (retired) in the UALC community. I am married to Pam, father of four, and grandfather of six. Pam and I have lived twenty of our years in other countries including France, Cameroon, Haiti, and Morocco. In retirement, we continue to enjoy writing devotionals, learning languages, and teaching English to internationals.
Pastor Dave, I have circled “rather” in my Bible today. Thank you .