Mercy and Justice

Dave Brisbin 5.3.26 We think we understand the scriptures because we can read them in plain English. But just as we never want to see our sausage being made, we have no idea the interpretive choices being made to translate ancient Eastern texts for modern Western minds. A word for word translation between any two languages is not possible. We’re not just translating words, but an Agreement of meaning between cultures and worldviews. Until we understand the Agreement, we won’t understand the words. When literally translated into English, Jesus’ sayings make no sense, create wrong impressions, even seem immoral. We either pretend we understand or file them on a back shelf until we’re ready to dig deeper. Jesus says that just an angry thought makes us guilty before the court, that we should not resist an evil person—if slapped on the right cheek, offer the other as well; if sued for our coat, give our shirt as well; if forced to go one mile, go two. He says we will always have the poor with us—uncompassionate, to accept oppressive taxation—unjust, tells a man to sell everything he has earned and to give whatever anyone asks of you—irresponsible. What’s going on? Part of the Agreement is context, the context of a saying. We live in two contexts simultaneously: the micro and macro. Our daily interactions are micro—one on one—but always couched in the larger macro context of the group. In the macro, love looks like justice, because without equality, the integrity of the group is lost. But in the micro, love looks like mercy and compassion. Without that, there is no relationship. Jesus always points to perfect love. His mission is to convey that love. So Jesus’ sayings are always code switching between micro and macro, mercy and justice, bringing what love requires to each moment in whatever context. Confusion arises when we are reading through the wrong context. We’re geared toward justice, the macro law we’ve learned to obey, but God loves us always in the micro, mercifully spirit to spirit. God’s love is not just. Its mercy unbalances the scales of justice in favor of each of us. Seems irresponsible…the price of perfection.