“Moderate compromise is not a means of appeasing evil; rather, it is a cowardly choice that gives evil the justification to make even greater demands.” “Then Pilate called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them, ‘You brought this man to me as one who was misleading the people. And behold, having examined him before you, I have found no basis for the charges you are bringing against him. Neither has Herod, for he sent him back to us. Behold, nothing deserving death has been done by him. Therefore, I will punish him and release him.’ But they all cried out together, saying, ‘Away with this man, and release to us Barabbas!’ This man had been thrown into prison because of an insurrection that had taken place in the city and because of murder. Pilate, wanting to release Jesus, spoke to them again, but they kept shouting, ‘Crucify him! Crucify him!’ ...
We must break away from a “cosmetic” faith that merely decorates outward appearances, and instead examine our inner motives and restore the spirit of oikos (a family community) that shares in the suffering of marginalized neighbors.
We must break away from a “cosmetic” faith that merely decorates outward appearances, and instead examine our inner motives and restore the spirit of oikos (a family community) that shares in the suffering of marginalized neighbors. “Woe to you! For you build the tombs of the prophets whom your ancestors killed. So you are witnesses and approve of the deeds of your ancestors; for they killed them, and you build their tombs” (Luke 11:47–48). (1) As I meditated today on Luke 11:47–48, I first read these verses in Greek. In doing so, three Greek words drew my attention, and I would like to reflect on God’s message through them: (a) The first word is “οἰκοδομεῖτε” (oikodomeite). (i) In the Korean Revised Version, this word is translated as “build” (v.47) and “build” (v.48). It carries meanings such as “to set up...