The Pharisees maintained a 'better-than-thou' attitude. The Zealots planned revolutions. The Essenes migrated.
The Sadducees sold out the Jewish hope for political leverage. The tax-collectors continued their gleeful exploitation (whilst the prostitutes maintained their sorrowful trade).
Some Roman soldiers played gangster. The common Jew struggled, complained and cursed them all but basically did nothing to remedy the situation.
There were many responses to the volatility and instability during Second-Temple Judaism. Likewise, in Malaysia.
Jesus chose 'none of the above' walked a better, narrower and more painful way. He embraced the tragedy of Israel in such a way that made it clear he did not endorse it. And he did so out of a love which couldn't be mistaken for anything else.
Perhaps if Malaysians learnt to love our country the way Jesus loved Israel, Merdeka Day would mean, and promise, more. Much more.
The Sadducees sold out the Jewish hope for political leverage. The tax-collectors continued their gleeful exploitation (whilst the prostitutes maintained their sorrowful trade).
Some Roman soldiers played gangster. The common Jew struggled, complained and cursed them all but basically did nothing to remedy the situation.
There were many responses to the volatility and instability during Second-Temple Judaism. Likewise, in Malaysia.
Jesus chose 'none of the above' walked a better, narrower and more painful way. He embraced the tragedy of Israel in such a way that made it clear he did not endorse it. And he did so out of a love which couldn't be mistaken for anything else.
Perhaps if Malaysians learnt to love our country the way Jesus loved Israel, Merdeka Day would mean, and promise, more. Much more.
Posts
2 comments:
so well said. happy merdeka!
very well said!
Post a Comment