True Religion

Today's sermon, titled "How Far Does Our Neighbor Reach?", delved into Mark 12:28-34 and the profound themes of loving God and loving our neighbor. The preacher made a thought-provoking assertion: that even Jesus experienced a metanoia, a transformative change of heart. Jesus moved beyond the conventional wisdom of his era, recognizing that those labeled as "sinners"—those living outside the rigid confines of religious law—were not the ones truly in error. Instead, it was those who sat in judgment over them who were truly astray. This shift marked a radical redefinition of sin and the sinner in Jesus' teachings.

In illustrating this, the preacher recounted an exchange involving Richard Dawkins and a colleague. Dawkins, bewildered by his colleague's faith, received a poignant reply: "Why would you want to take even God away from those who have nothing else?" It's a reminder that for many, the adage "There's always a light at the end of the tunnel" no longer rings true; for them, God is the light that remains. This sentiment echoed in the story of Reverend Jin-Hong Kim, who, while freezing in a prison cell, desperately scoured the Bible for any reference to "fire," grasping for even the smallest ember of hope.

Ultimately, the preacher encouraged us to intertwine the love of God with the love of neighbor. He challenged us to broaden our definition of "neighbor," compelling us to consider that if we truly love God, a boundless love for our fellow human beings should follow naturally. True religion is not found merely at God's side but at the side of those in need.