“He had one left to send, a son, whom he loved. He sent him last of all, saying, ‘They will respect my son.'” (Mark 12:6 NIV)
Respect is a cornerstone of civilization. When respect crumbles, society closely follows.
In this text, Jesus was telling a thinly-veiled parable about God’s house and how it had been entrusted to the priests. Year after year, they had failed to produce a Kingdom harvest. When confronted by God-sent servants, they bullied, beat, maimed and even killed the divine messengers. Finally, God sent His Son, but the priests basic respect for human life and heavenly agenda had dried up entirely. The Temple leadership would treat the Son the same way as they had treated the prophets before Him: bullied, beaten, scourged and ultimately crucified. They would be evicted from their esteemed position.
I read about respect and my mind jumps back to Tuesday night’s debate. A section minister’s meeting kept us from watching live, but my husband and I attempted to listen in on the way home. We could only endure about forty-five minutes of the mud-slinging, name-calling and character assassination mis-labeled as a debate. At several points, neither candidate was coherent because they were both over-talking each other – full-steam ahead and ignorant of the opposition. It physically hurt to watch two high-level American leaders treat each other with such terrible disrespect.
I should be shocked, but our presidential candidates are merely reflecting the American people. Ever since the advent of the status update, we’re just yelling out our opinions without regard for the soul on the other side of the screen. We’ve stopped listening altogether; we’ve become a nation of shouting heads.
Here’s the thing though – if everyone shouts, no one is heard. Truly, so many of us are scarred by angry parents or angry spouses. Lots of people cannot hear when the message is shouted. What’s more, Mister Rogers reminds us that listening is the first step in loving. If we can’t stop shouting long enough to lean in and hear one another, how in the world will we learn to love one another? We’re chastened; loving others is still the second greatest commandment.
What happened on television Tuesday night is the natural result of all our yelling and an alarming indicator of the state of our nation. The polarity of our national community is reaching critical mass. We can pass of the blame on news reporters and social media algorythms or we can recognize ourselves as participants in the verbal brawl. We can return to God’s instructions and recommit to treating one another with respect. Stop shouting. Start listening. Learn something. Let love have a fighting chance.
I’m not presenting this thought as one who has mastered it. Today’s culture makes me want to yell, too. It’s just that I have realized; raising my voice will not accomplish the agenda I’m in favor of. Day after day I battle my own flesh because I firmly believe there has to be a better way to address the people my life brushes up against. I realize I need God’s grace and strength to hold my tongue and listen with the intent of loving.
“The quiet words of a wise leader are more to be heeded that the shouts of a ruler of fools.” (Ecclesiastes 9:17 NIV)
“Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, honor the emperor.” (1 Peter 2:17 NIV)
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35 NIV)
“Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” (Romans 2:10 NIV)
Returning to our original text and the parable of the vineyard: when the tenants became corrupt, they were removed from leadership. They were evicted from the vineyard. Vinetending was entrusted to another. This serves as a stark warning for Americans. If we cannot figure out how to listen and respect one another, we stand to lose it all.
Lord, we desperately need Your help. Self-control is a touch-and-go fruit to grow, near-impossible apart from Your Spirit. Speak to us today. Convict us. Forgive us. Give us the grace to start again. Help us hear our brothers and sisters, even those on another other side of where we are. May we respect them despite our disagreement. Political passions do not excuse us from Your commandment to love one another. Renew our commitment to Your instructions. Help us hear our neighbor and learn to love as You’ve directed. Especially equip us with Your Spirit and turn the tide of destruction from our nation. Amen.