Finishing the project

Luke 14:28-30 For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it? Otherwise, when he has laid a foundation and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, saying, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’

Jesus described the all-too-familiar problem of lowballing estimates for projects.  In a corporation, it’s common practice to preach cheap to management then ask for leniency when there are cost overruns.  And given the miserly control and fear of investment among C level executives, it is arguably the only way to get anything meaningful and substantial done.  Projects are treacherous ground even so because funding can be pulled any time.  Monies are counted quarterly no matter what projects are happening.  I will personally testify about 60% of my projects being canceled before completion, with people who were vital to those projects summarily laid off.

But this mini-parable is applied to a life following Jesus.  The level and cost of a lifelong commitment is often underestimated.  If you’re going to put parents, family or life’s pursuits ahead of your devotion to Jesus Christ, don’t bother saying you’re his disciple.  The balance here is that devotion to Christ will make you love your family even more.  It’s a matter of what reigns supreme.  And in this passage, Jesus stresses the long-term nature of a life given to him.  If your weariness causes you to abandon following him, you failed in your original estimate of cost.  Those around you who said it was only a phase are proven right in what they said.

There is no management to appeal to in order to increase corporate commitment to the project called my life.  Jesus paid for that life on the cross once for all.  It’s never the case that there isn’t help for me to continue in my following him or in all he’s called me to.  But there is also a giving up I can fall into if I try to do things on my own too much, things don’t go my way or my resilience is so low that fatigue makes me simply walk away.  Following Jesus, carrying my particular cross and letting him mold me into all he wants me to be is a lifelong project.  Indeed, I am his project.  For life.  May I finish (or be finished) well.

Fellowship of murderers

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱:𝟳‭, ‬𝟭𝟭 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗺𝗼𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗲𝗹𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 …. 𝗕𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗮𝘀 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱.

The annual prisoner freedom ritual was meant to keep the peace between Rome and those of occupied Israel. There is no biblical record of it being done throughout the Roman Empire, but that would be consistent with the concessions made to maintain control yet allow some local political fervor to simmer. Indeed, the Pax Romana (Peace of Rome) operated at the tips of swords and spears. So, not really peace at all.

That Barabbas was a murderer (likely of one of the opponents of Israel) was an appeal to his candidacy for release. But that he was a murderer at all was perhaps more so, for his advocates were actively using Roman force to murder the One who served neither their aspirations nor that of Rome – Jesus Christ. He was far scarier than any mere criminal or insurrectionist, because His insurrection was against their sin and corrupt authority. He had to go.

The riddle of the cross is that when humankind does its worst, God’s best results. Murderers free murderers and at some level even flaunt their actions with a destructive arrogance that hurts themselves more than anyone else. God pays love forward through His Son and establishes eternal supremacy over the small reign of small people.

The cross wins. Always and forever. In my life and that of all humanity.

Resignation with a wink

Luke 20:24-25 “Show me a denarius. Whose likeness and inscription does it have?” They said, “Caesar’s.” He said to them, “Then render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Jesus had been asked a trick question, and one very loaded with national and cultural baggage. Should the people pay Roman taxes? It was a sore point because taxes were high and the collectors were notorious for adding their own fees on top, such that the people hated the Romans and the traitor collectors. So, acquiescence to paying taxes would be treasonous and politically treacherous.

But Jesus had an answer equally astute to the query meant to trap him. He asked about the national origin of the coins they were using. Of course, they were Roman. So, yeah, the Romans will levy taxes and you should pay them. But the people knew there were also Syrian and Jewish coinage in use. So his answer had a way of marginalizing Rome. It was resignation with a wink.

Roman taxes were unjust and cruel. Jesus knew that. But he also knew that rebellion against Rome was no way to be rid of the occupiers. We know he desired salvation for them. There is, then, a deeper and longer lasting desire in God’s heart even for those who profit from his people’s suffering. Jesus would go on to die on a Roman cross, with attending soldiers proclaiming his deity.

The divisive and conspiratorial accusations of tribal groups can and do inflame. Indeed, should we pay taxes? Should we support the group of people in power or fight them first with our words then our deeds, even unto armed rebellion? It’s hard to be dogmatic, for Thomas Jefferson’s suggestion for the motto for the United States Seal (not adopted) does hold scriptural weight – “Rebellion to tyrants is obedience to God”.

But Jesus points to the things that people do have – their our own identity, currency and culture – in the din of tribal wranglings. What do I think it means to love our enemies? I might be quick to point out that I was never called to be a doormat, yet those words are lies, for I do serve a doormat Savior. This doesn’t negate oppression, injustice and suffering. It redeems it and spreads the Good News of Jesus as a counter-cultural undercurrent. There is no culture on earth like the kind that Jesus lives and spreads.

As enabled and prompted by the Holy Spirit, I will pointedly love my enemies and pray for those who persecute me. Grant me that strength O God.

A deeper reconciliation

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟱: 𝟭𝟳-𝟭𝟵 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗸, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼𝗴𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗮 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗻𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗽𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺. 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗯𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗛𝗮𝗶𝗹, 𝗞𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗝𝗲𝘄𝘀!” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺.

The layers of hatred and evil that were in play throughout the Passion of Christ were the perfect background for his death. Pilate had released Barabbas, continuing an annual tradition to placate the occupied nation of Israel during a time of heightened national fervor. The religious leaders who had handed Jesus over to him insisted that he crucify Jesus, using that fear of uprising to get their way. And the Roman soldiers, who hated the nation of Israel in return, took it out on Jesus. As it says in Colossians:

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟮:𝟭𝟱 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺, 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺𝗽𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀.

There were those in every group and position in the hierarchy of group that would one day turn in faith to Jesus. Reconciliation in the Body of Christ would undo the destruction in which they had participated and advocated for. When Jesus said “Forgive them Father, they don’t know what they are doing” he certainly spoke of his own agony on the cross. But the embroiled resentment between people and nations was certainly in need of forgiveness as well.

Also in Colossians, Paul wrote

𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝟭:𝟭𝟵-𝟮𝟬 𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗶𝗺, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻, 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗱, 𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀.

… it was an “all things” reconciliation. This is no statement of universal salvation, but of the far reaching effect of the death of Jesus, right in the middle of the most bitter of antipathy between people. The peace made between things starts with individuals who know full well their own sin that was paid for. It spreads and encompasses all creation.

The soldiers, levying out their own punishment upon their hated assignment and the people in the land, were accomplishing the exact opposite of what they thought. A short time later, a centurion guarding the crucifixion, would utter (Mark 15:39) “Surely this man was the Son of God!” And others would believe later. It was not the end, but the beginning.

Do I regress and devolve into tribal hatred? Do I refuse to see the overarching of Christ’s reconciliation, even as it has overtaken my own life? Let me regain the vista of peace that falls upon the whole earth. And rejoice in all that has been forgiven and redeemed.

“Your faith has made you well”

𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝟭𝟬:𝟱𝟭-𝟱𝟮 “𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂?” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗥𝗮𝗯𝗯𝗶, 𝗹𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗺𝘆 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁.” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗝𝗲𝘀𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗵𝗶𝗺, “𝗚𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝘆; 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹.” 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝗵𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗱 𝗵𝗶𝗺 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆.

The blind man, whose cries the crowd tried to squelch, nonetheless came before Jesus. Now it was obvious he was blind, but wanted him to say he wanted to see. It’s not that anyone – including Jesus- expected the man to want an extra tunic, say. Our requests for healing and deliverance and all other things must proceed from our mouths. It’s part of the healing process and makes us confront any self-deprecating and destructive ideas of deserving our maladies and expecting no more from life than our limitations all the while seeing God’s restoration available.

Also, there is faith in Christ – His person and goodwill and abilities – that God uses to heal us. The blind man’s faith made him well.

For 2000+ years, believers have wrangled, accused and proudly asserted formulas and theories and negating condemnations as to why healings don’t happen. We know that they also did not always happen among the disciples at Jesus time, and yes, overwhelmingly often Jesus pointed to the absence of faith. Yet Jesus also helped a desperate father in his unbelief and excommunicated NONE of those of little faith. The message there is that faith grows.

Faith in Jesus encompasses much more than healing. Indeed, faith in Jesus takes healing off the pedestal of proof of any human achievement or possession. It mightily proves God’s intentions for health and human well-being, acting as a spectacular pointer to the person of Jesus.

I am to never stop contending for healing; never surrender the brokenness of this world as the final word or state. Salvation has worked its wonders in my life as it will do so in the lives of all who enter in. Healed wounds without and within are its signature marks; let me take a true and historical inventory of them all as I have seen and experienced. And I will see very vividly that my faith has made me well. I was blind and now I see.

Becoming a worthy house

Matthew 10:11-13 And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is worthy in it and stay there until you depart. As you enter the house, And if the house is worthy, let your peace come upon it, but if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you

To the modern reader, the instruction in Matthew 10:11 is puzzling. What does “worthy” mean? If it’s synonymous with righteousness, the statement runs afoul of the gospel message, that none are worthy apart from Jesus’ blood. We can know that Jesus had not yet died for the sins of the world, so that takes that interpretation out of consideration.

In Middle Eastern culture, to this day, hospitality is deeply ingrained. Empathy extends readily to travelers, who were and are considered vulnerable. This is in force across people groups. This was in practice during Jesus’ time on earth as well. So, a “worthy” house would be one that openly receives visitors.

Against that were suspicious households; who would be fearful of letting in thieving and potentially violent strangers. There is little question that there was and is basis for such fear. Yet, it disqualified a household from a visit by one of Jesus’ closest disciples.

Both postures have fear as their basis. But the worthy house has concern for others, while the unworthy one only fears for itself. This is the very basis of being hospitable.

People and families who have been violated are bound to be afraid of anything that would allow that to happen again. That is normal and understandable. But coming to faith in Jesus involves trust that overcomes the protective layer of isolation. Without that, there is no healing and restoration.

While victims are absolutely right to know and proclaim their pain and personal loss, unless and until an openness to the therapeutic community of Jesus develops, their testimony is blunted and powerless. They become unworthy to receive the blessing Jesus bestows. This is not blaming victims for anything, it is allowing wounds to fester when there is antiseptic and bandages readily available.

Worthiness in receiving Jesus and his disciples is simple, but very hard for some. It means extending care and concern outside self and close-knit others. Heaven itself may be knocking on the door:

Hebrews 13:2 Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.

I want to be healed like that; I want to take in those sent to me. May it be so.

Joy rekindled

John 20:15-16 Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?” Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.”

Mary of Magdala had come to attend to the dead body of Jesus. She had witnessed his brutal death at the hands of the Romans, all the while being jeered at by those who opposed him and his ministry. She was traumatized and seared with grief. This was a personal time to say good-bye to one who had saved her life.

To discover the body missing would only add to her despondency. When Jesus approached her, she did not recognize him (many did not know the risen Christ until it was revealed to them). So her question was one of desperation, from the tenderest of hearts. In her mind, likely any number of things could have happened to the body, among which was the fact that the tomb was that of a rich person and NOT a place the body of someone like Jesus would have been laid to rest.

When she offered to “take him” it meant collect his remains from wherever they had been moved (likely discarded like rubbish) and at least provide Jesus the best resting place she could afford or arrange. Mostly, she just wanted to see him again.

The gardener would immediately identify himself, greeting her by name after these words and her sorrow turned to bubbling joy as Jesus had predicted. She was, then, the first person to see Jesus after his resurrection. And she couldn’t contain herself, telling the other disciples what she’d seen. In other accounts it says that her words seemed like foolishness to them – a common take on excited speech (slow down, Mary). Where is their grief in my life, where is there fresh or residual sorrow? Where have I left a situation as desperately unsolvable and frozen in that dissolution or brokenness? I am right – I will not solve anything. But I am wrong if I adopt hopelessness as final. It is NOT hopeless. God DOES resurrect, He DOES give new life and revives dead things. While it will never be the same, it may well be better.

Do I allow hope to arise? Do I consider that the “gardener” will call my name, as one in whom he has planted the seeds of salvation which push up a mighty tree from the soil? Awake my soul

Jesus the Peacemaker

John 4: 11-12 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.”

In the disjointed conversation between Jesus and the Samaritan women at the well, there are several references to the common ancestry of the Jews of Israel and the mixed breed people of Samaria, though the groups hated each other at the time. When the woman asked Jesus what he meant by “living water”, she cited the great heritage Samaria shared with Israel – “our father Jacob”. The inclusion of Samaria in historical Judaism is and was fact. The well she was drawing from was dug during the time Jacob and family settled in Shechem as recorded in Genesis 33.

To answer the question (as she would soon after this) – “Yes, Jesus IS greater than your father Jacob.” And that greatness was long-reaching and world-changing.

The Messianic identity of Jesus was declared by the Samaritans themselves in the days following this encounter (see John 4:42). There were multiple points in his ministry where the narrative shows Jesus made sure to include Samaritans in parables and miracles.

In the book of Acts there were many who came to faith in Jesus in Samaria as well (see Acts 8). So, believers in Israel and Samaria were reunited as it were across the centuries. The one who was indeed greater than Jacob had re-established a single people of faith. This is remarkable.

Faith in Christ is pan-cultural and world-wide. It’s not that Chinese believers are the same as African ones; there are differences to be seen and noted. At the same time, there is a unity of faith across the nations that Jesus establishes. He is the Prince of Peace.

Yet perhaps the most pronounced organizational aspect of the church – from the outset and across history – is its tendency to split and independently function. The reasons are many and the situations are often quite different. Still, it is at stark odds with the work and intent of Jesus.

If I am a peacemaker, a role and work I pray for and have functioned in, there is unity to be had across the boundaries. Like the Samaria/Israel divide, the Lord would bring his people together. Let it be so, first in my/our heart(s) then in our walked out faith.

Amen.

Calling of the favored one

Luke 1:28-30 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be. And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.”

Seeing an angel in the first place would be disconcerting; it was almost certainly Mary’s first time being visited by a heavenly messenger. But when he announced that she was favored and that the Lord was with her, she was “greatly troubled”, wondering “what sort of greeting this might be”.

There is no doubt Mary was versed in scripture. Her song, the famed Magnificat, in Luke 2, has lyrics that are deeply inspired by Old Testament themes and word pictures. She would therefore know that being greeted by an angel was often a preparation for God asking something of a person (see Gideon in Judges 6:12).

It’s not that “O favored one” is a flattering ploy to soften her up, it’s that God’s favored ones are often chosen for special duties and callings. By the end of the conversation with Gabriel, the angel, her attitude would be expressed with wonderful faith – (Luke 1:38 “I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me as you have said.”), all the while not knowing what lay ahead.

There is a dread of special calling that pervades the human heart. Faith may be summoned, and the person called the proper individual, but the impossibility of what God asks requires what is an uncommon and ever deeper reliance upon his hand to accomplish his calling. In Mary’s case, it was to be the mother of God’s Son. While the biological mechanics of bearing a child were understood, THIS child was divine. No other mother before or since would do what Mary did.

Am I ready to be called? As a child of God in Christ, I am definitely favored. And I can hardly call myself into God’s service. But am I ready to receive the call once given? Mary could have turned away from this call, though God knew she would not. Does God know that of me? If not, what is needed that I would be that trustworthy? It’s worth praying for.

From the inside out

Matthew 12:35-37 The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.  I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

There is such a ring of integrity in these words!  Jesus was countering the keepers of Mosaic Law who had morphed into such a binding set of rules and regulations it truly could not be kept except through appearances.  And the hypocrisy of that practice was so blatant that he called it out by pointing to the secret workings of the inner person – which come out most markedly through speech.

Treasures are those things stored up, whether good or bad.  It’s hardly residual; the blessed or cursed internal collection of memories, emotions and convictions is active and being built and guarded by the free will and discipline of individuals.  Then, given the right opportunity, trigger or other stimulus, part of that hidden treasure is brought out, either for good or evil.

In context, this is given in contrast to the idea that it is what is taken INTO a person that makes him/her unclean.  It’s not that it doesn’t matter; people poison themselves with food every day.  And even as it affects the inner person, ingesting or surrounding oneself with negativity, complaining and criticism will by nature create the bad kind of treasure.

Since it is the treasure inside that needs tending and nurturing, the call is clear to keep building blessing and not collect evil, bitterness or toxicity stored.  I will absolutely be exposed to those and they will enter into my mind in some fashion.  But the benefits of the spiritual disciplines become obvious.  The onslaught of evil in this world as it touches my life needs to be countered, so Bible reading, prayer and prophetic promises (reciting God’s touch points in my life) are suitable and necessary.

And there is the careless word – emanating from deep inside my pained internals – that denigrates, steals joy, stings the soul of others, poisons the air, makes light of the heavy or heavy of the light, brings death by a thousand cuts or discourages the Kingdom flow.  Oh, let me avoid that, loudly announce my guilt when it proceeds from my mouth and undo it through offering its antidote whenever and wherever I (even finally) perceive its going forth.  Let me learn from whence it came, for there is a wound that needs to be healed and a soul lesson that needs to be learned.