Gathering
- Gary Fritsch
- Mar 26
- 3 min read
Sometimes the main part of the story for the people of Jesus' time, is something that doesn't hit home for us. I think that might be the case today. Usually, when this happens, I try to help to paint the picture or circumstance of the time in a different way, a modern context so that we can understand the main thrust of the reading.
This is not the only way to go about it. Sometimes there is a subplot, an additional layer, a side-road that is worth travelling down. That's what we will do today. At the end of today's Gospel, Jesus closes with this line: "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." I think the first part of this line is easily digestible by even the most casual Christian. "Oh yeah, I'm with ya." I believe what you say, I believe who you are, etc. etc. But the second part is a little more challenging "whoever does not gather". Hmmm. Do you gather? Are you a gatherer?
This can seem disconnected from the earlier discourse about casting out demons, but it's not. The devil is very satisfied with 'Christians' whose faith is centered on them and Jesus. They tend to love what Jesus introduces to their lives, and they keep it to themselves - no sense in upsetting anyone else. From this position of Christian isolation it is easy for them critique the world (kind of like the Pharisee and the tax collector praying). Often it seems that their primary mode of Christian foray into the world is to jump on the bandwagon of a movement to denounce others. I'm going to let you in on a little secret. Those who are denounced and critiqued run no risk of being gathered.
Are you a gatherer? What do gatherer's do? Well, we have the best example to refer to, Jesus. He was generous to all, even those He didn't know (wine at a wedding, bread for thousands, a boatload of fish for a surly fisherman). He helped the sinful (woman caught in adultery) and forgave the unforgivable (those who were killing Him). He dined with sinners and was mocked for it. He didn't dine with them to join them in their sin, He was accompanying them on their way out of it. He would forgive them for their missteps along the way.
Too often we think, yeah, but that's Jesus - I'm just me. Here is what Jesus says about that "Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters." This IS being a Christian. It's not part of it, it's not optional in Jesus' opinion (the only one that matters). So, the question for anyone who claims to be a Christian is not should I gather, but how will I gather? Generosity, loving, forgiveness, patience, kindness - All in the name of Jesus. If you are already doing these things, add His name to them. Try speaking His name, the name of Jesus into everything you do. His name is what sends demons scurrying.
The devil would be very content to rule over a world where Christians just keep to themselves. When they do this, others can continue to see Christianity and Christ as fake, fictitious, unimportant, unnecessary, etc. In this way, the Kingdom of God will never reign unless God decides to cut ties with all the sinners - also making Satan very happy. Jesus broke into the world, the house of the 'Strong Man', in order to take it over. He has put Himself within us for that purpose. He has tied him up so that death no longer reigns on us, but He needs us to gather everyone so that we might be liberated. Let's gather!
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