A big "Oops!"
The Bible says in Matthew 12:34 (I first memorized it in the King James version) "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." The Message puts it in a little more pointed contemporary light: "It's your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words." Jesus has responded to the accusation of his adversaries and he points directly at their heart problem, which is what is "driving" what comes out of their mouths. Because they are full of hate and suspicion, that is what they are expressing as they speak to Jesus.
I drink coffee all day long. I even have a well rehearsed ritual at the coffee bar when I buy my "Eye Opener" first thing in the morning. Some places call it a "Depth Charge". It is a double shot of espresso with regular coffee. Two Splendas and then top it off with half and half. It is a nice "kick start" to get me going. Except sometimes I'm talking to my teammates or otherwise distracted and I fill the cup right to the brim - even with the lid on its VERY full. If anyone bumps my arm or causes me to have to swerve, it guarantees a spill. What comes out? Coffee, of course. That's what the cup is full of. And that is what Jesus is saying when he responds to the accusations of the Pharisees.
Fast forward to recent news: Helen Thomas was confronted on the street by a rabbi who asked her position on Israel. Her response led to her resignation as she "spilled" virulent anti-Semitism. Vice President Joe Biden was in Wisconsin and ordered a frozen custard. When the manager told him it was free as long as Biden would agree to "...lower our taxes." Biden responded with a crude epithet.
I couldn't help but think of Jesus' words - what's in your heart is what comes out when you're "jostled" or "bumped". BTW, if you see me in the morning holding my coffee cup carefully in front of me, try not to run into me - you might find out how much I love my coffee first thing in the morning.
I drink coffee all day long. I even have a well rehearsed ritual at the coffee bar when I buy my "Eye Opener" first thing in the morning. Some places call it a "Depth Charge". It is a double shot of espresso with regular coffee. Two Splendas and then top it off with half and half. It is a nice "kick start" to get me going. Except sometimes I'm talking to my teammates or otherwise distracted and I fill the cup right to the brim - even with the lid on its VERY full. If anyone bumps my arm or causes me to have to swerve, it guarantees a spill. What comes out? Coffee, of course. That's what the cup is full of. And that is what Jesus is saying when he responds to the accusations of the Pharisees.
Fast forward to recent news: Helen Thomas was confronted on the street by a rabbi who asked her position on Israel. Her response led to her resignation as she "spilled" virulent anti-Semitism. Vice President Joe Biden was in Wisconsin and ordered a frozen custard. When the manager told him it was free as long as Biden would agree to "...lower our taxes." Biden responded with a crude epithet.
I couldn't help but think of Jesus' words - what's in your heart is what comes out when you're "jostled" or "bumped". BTW, if you see me in the morning holding my coffee cup carefully in front of me, try not to run into me - you might find out how much I love my coffee first thing in the morning.
Comments