Righteousness & Mercy

Sermons – The Table UMC

Our Lenten worship series is inspired by A Sanctified Art and called Everything [In] Between. This worship series is an invitation to navigate the polarities in our lives with more faith, intention, and openness to be transformed. Pastor Matt’s message invites reflection on Jesus’ encounter with Zacchaeus in Luke 19.1-10. The crowds grumble at Jesus’ self-invitation to stay with Zacchaeus, and their righteous indignation isn’t without cause. As a tax collector, Zacchaeus has extorted money and acted in collusion with the empire, using his position to oppress his own people. It is important to call out oppression, and yet, Jesus offers mercy. That mercy then begets more mercy as Zacchaeus, unprompted, offers to return what he took, and then some. Perhaps we can’t practice righteousness in isolation, as it hinges upon “right relationship.” And perhaps God’s overflowing mercy should always surprise and disorient us a bit. Can we pursue righteousness and mercy with people we disagree with? As is evident in the Zacchaeus story, that’s where real transformation occurs. Worship online with thetable.live. CCLI #805699 / CCLI Streaming #094804