Here’s an excerpt from a story some CHILDREN wrote a number of years ago. Unexplained really. See if you can “make the connection.” Breath-taking and stunning at the same time if you can “catch on to” the implications in the allegory.

Background: The story is fictitious non-fiction. That is the period and many events in the story are non-fictitious, but told from the stand-point of fictitious characters. The excerpt is of a fictitious character, Ezra, speaking with the non-fictitious character in Jesus’ day, Jairus, the synagogue ruler:

Ezra sighed, “I do wish father could have come. We both have yearned to see and worship at the temple again,” Ezra paused as he stared into the crackling fire, “and to sit under the teaching and guidance of the scribes and Pharisees.” He leaned back on his hands and looked up into the stars. “Jairus, my father specifically asked me to see what the leaders in Jerusalem say about Jesus—whether He is the Messiah or not. The teachers of the law know the Scriptures well. Surely when they meet and hear Jesus, they will listen to and acknowledge the words He speaks. Don’t you think?”

In a clear, serious tone Jairus spoke, “Oh, Ezra, I’ve heard our leaders speak many times in the temple. I’ve seen them worship and carry out their duties. Some do seem to have a heart for God, and yes, some may listen. But many live only external lives, desiring mainly to be seen of men. Some do care about the law and about doing everything right, but they seem to never yield their hearts. They hold that our traditions are equally as important as God’s commands. In fact, I don’t think some can tell the difference anymore!” Jairus shook his head and gazed into the flames.

Startled by what Jairus was saying, Ezra asked, “You don’t think some can tell what difference anymore?”

“The difference between the traditions established by our fathers and God’s own commands,” Jairus repeated carefully.

“Give me an example.” Ezra could feel a slight apprehension rising in his heart.

Jairus waited a moment before he responded. “All right, Ezra. We could talk about the thousands of ‘extra’ interpretations and explanations by mere men. We could discuss the mighty grand Sanhedrin and how an invention of man has become ‘Yahweh’s Voice’—or men wish it so. We could discuss Saul and the King’s administrative positions and rule versus Samuel’s God-given rule of anointing—man wants impressive stature and postion while God wants heart and spirit. There are hundreds of examples that few today ever question. It seems we are drunk on our traditions and too fearful to ask, ‘Why?’! But now, shall we consider the synagogues?”

In spite of Ezra’s reluctant nod, he continued. “Has it ever occurred to you that the synagogue was actually never God’s idea in the first place? All along it was God’s intention that men worship in the temple in Jerusalem! But when Israel sinned, and we were scattered and no longer had a temple, it was our forefathers’ idea to build synagogues in which to meet, pray, and read Scripture.”

“What is so wrong with that?” Ezra questioned, furrowing his brow.

“Oh, nothing is wrong with the idea itself. The problem is that, now, after many generations, worshipping in the synagogue is so established that many leaders consider it GOD’S PLAN rather than MAN’S OWN IDEA. Don’t you remember, Ezra, the ‘alternate worship places’ called High Places and what God thought of those? Now we’ve justified and colored over our own attempts to make Yahweh more convenient. THAT is the PROBLEM.” As Jairus spoke, fresh examples flooded his mind. “Like the Philistine ox-cart, we justify facilitating our convenience and ease with our own traditions. Did not Nadab and Abihu, Uzzuh, Jannes and Jambres all find out what God thinks of our great ideas?” Jairus’ eyes narrowed with deep conviction. His voice grew stronger, “One must distinguish between man’s traditions and God’s Holy Thoughts. That is not happening in recent generations, Ezra. The synagogue now is such an accepted tradition that a Jew is considered a rebel and unholy if he doesn’t attend the ‘right way.’”

Ezra was startled. He felt as if something very foundational to his Jewish beliefs was being pulled out from under him. He didn’t know whether to continue to listen or give in to the anger he felt rising up in him. Is Jairus actually questioning the validity of the synagogue—the very institution he is himself a ruler of? If God’s people didn’t have a place to meet, where could we read and listen to the scrolls being read? Where would the people of God gather? Suddenly it occurred to him that he had been warned about Jairus. Hadn’t he been branded a troublemaker? Ezra kept his thoughts to himself.

Related

  • A Light Has Dawned – The full story from which the excerpt was taken. (A great “children’s story” if you know what I mean — written BY about 10-12 children, actually, as a collaborative effort…)
  • Restoring The Glory of God in the Church – A teaching about how we’ve used ox-carts (ie. the traditions of men) to try and bring about God’s purposes in the church.
  • About Lampstands – Some teachings concerning lampstands if you are so interested. :-)