今週も神学校週間として、３つの神学校とそこで学ぶ神学生を覚えて礼拝を献げ、献金を献げます。神学生は「献身者」と呼ばれます。自分の人生を神に献げた人、ということです。しかし、神学生や牧師だけが「献身者」なのではありません。神に従って生きるならば、私たちは誰もが献身者だからです。今日は献げるということについて、またそれが何を目指し、何を生み出していくのか、ということをご一緒に考えましょう。
すべてを献げた一人のやもめ
新約聖書の時代、エルサレムには「ヘロデの神殿」と呼ばれる立派な神殿がありました。神殿では毎日、礼拝が行われ、犠牲の献げ物がなされていました。神殿には、13個のラッパ型の賽銭箱が置かれていました。礼拝に来た人たちは、賽銭箱に献金を入れました。特に過越祭のような祭りのときにはたくさんの人がエルサレムの神殿へ巡礼にやって来ましたから、賽銭箱にも、次から次へと献金が入れられていきました。
献金袋のようなものがあったわけではありませんし、紙幣（紙のお金）ではなく貨幣（金属で作られたお金）が使われていました。そのため、誰かが献金を入れるたびに、賽銭箱からお金の音が聞こえたはずです。金持ちたちは、ジャラジャラと大きな音を立ててたくさんの金を入れていました。
イエスは賽銭箱の向かいに座り、人々が献金を入れる様子を見ておられました。大勢の金持ちが、たくさんの献金を入れていくその音が聞こえていましたが、イエスは何も言わずに、その様子をじっと見ておられました。
するとそこに、一人の女性がやって来ました。彼女は貧しいやもめでした。夫に先立たれ、おそらく息子もおらず、独り身で生活していた女性です。彼女も賽銭箱へと向かっていき、献金を入れました。すると、「カラン、カラン」と小さな音が聞こえました。その音から、彼女が入れたのは一番小さな銅貨であった“レプトン”２枚であったことがわかりました。
やもめの献金の音も、周りの人たちに聞こえたことでしょう。たくさんの献金をした金持ちたちは、こう思ったかもしれません。「それっぽっちの献金しかできないなんて情けない。私はこんなにもたくさん献金ができるのだ。」この様子を見ていたイエスの弟子たちも、たくさん献金することのできた金持ちは祝福されていて、わずかな献金しかできないやもめは祝福されていない、と思ったのかもしれません。
するとイエスは弟子たちを呼び寄せて言われました。
「はっきり言っておく。この貧しいやもめは、賽銭箱に入れている人の中で、だれよりもたくさん入れた。皆は有り余る中から入れたが、この人は、乏しい中から自分の持っている物をすべて、生活費を全部入れたからである。」（マルコによる福音書12章43~44節）
貧しいやもめにとって、わずか２枚のレプトン銅貨であっても、貴重な生活費のすべてでした。彼女には献金を献げないことも、１枚は残しておくこともできましたが、２枚とも献げました。今日や明日の食べる物があるかどうか、というギリギリのところで、彼女は持っている物のすべてを献げたのです。
一方、金持ちたちは確かにたくさんの献金をしました。しかしそれは彼らが持っている物の一部であって、それを献げたからといって、特に困ることはなく、彼らの生活に何の影響もありません。
貧しいやもめは、その時に自分が持っている物のすべてを献げました。それは、自分の生活や人生を神に献げることでした。イエスはこのような女性を模範として、弟子たちに示したのです。
与えるよりも受ける方が幸い？
この出来事の少し前、イエスは律法学者を非難してこのように言っておられました。
「律法学者に気をつけなさい。彼らは、長い衣をまとって歩き回ることや、広場で挨拶されること、会堂では上席、宴会では上座に座ることを望み、また、やもめの家を食い物にし、見せかけの長い祈りをする。このような者たちは、人一倍厳しい裁きを受けることになる。」（マルコによる福音書12章38~40節）
律法学者とは、聖書の教えを伝える人たちです。その律法学者中に、自分が優遇されたり、良い扱いをされたり、豊かな生活をしたりすることばかり望んでいる人たちもいたようです。しかも、貧しいやもめの家を食い物にすることさえあったというのですから、イエスが怒って非難するのも当然です。
使徒言行録20章35節では、「受けるよりは与える方が幸いである」というイエスの言葉が紹介されています。その言葉は、福音書には書かれていませんが、イエスが言葉と行いをもって私たちに教えておられる生き方は、まさに「受けるよりは与える方が幸いである」というものです。
ところが、イエスが非難した律法学者や金持ちたちは、「与えるよりも受ける方が幸いだ」と思っていたように見えます。彼らはどのようにしたら、より多くのものを受けられるか、ということをいつも考えていた。場合によっては、誰かから奪うことであっても、自分がどれほど多くのものをもつことができるか、ということが何よりも大事なことだと考えていたのでしょう。
そしてそのような考えは、新約聖書の時代よりも前から、また現代でも、訴えられるものです。今、参議院議員選挙が行われていますが、そこで各政党・各候補者が訴えていることの中にも、どれだけ多くを受けられるか、ということばかりが目立ちます。そうすれば幸せになれると信じられてきましたが、果たしてそれは本当だったのでしょうか。
すべてを献げたイエス・キリスト
「受けるよりは与える方が幸いである」と言ったイエスは、わずかな生活費のすべてを献げたやもめをほめました。それはイエスが教え示した生き方を表すものだったからです。そしてそれは、イエスが行おうとしていたことを予め示すものでもありました。
やもめの献金の後に続くのは、イエスの受難物語です。神のご計画を成し遂げて、神の国をもたらすために、この世に生きる私たちに――すべての人々に――真の生命を与えるために、イエスはご自身の命を――ご自身のすべてを――献げようとしておられました。
「富んでおられたのに、その貧しさによってわれわれが豊かになるために、われわれのために貧しくなられた」（コリントの信徒への手紙二 8章9節）
イエスは豊かであったのに、ご自身のすべてを私たちのために献げてくださいました。私たちが失った生命を取り戻し、神の愛の内に生きられるように生まれ変わり、平和を作り出すことができるように、イエスはすべてを献げてくださったのです。
あの金持ちたちのように、賞賛を受けるためにたくさん持っているもののうちの一部を出したのではありません。あの律法学者たちのように、地位と名誉を得るために弱くされた人を食い物にすることもありませんでした。イエスはすべてを献げました。イエスこそ、すべてを献げた方なのです。だからイエスは、ご自身のように自分を献げ、持っているものを与えたやもめをほめたのでした。
感謝と贈与の連鎖
今日、私たちは主の晩餐式を行います。それはイエス・キリストが最後の晩餐で弟子たちと食事を共にした出来事を記念するものです。それは、平和をもたらす神の国の実現を先取りする「祝宴」をも意味する食事でした。
イエス・キリストは神の国を宣べ伝え、誰もが神に愛されていることを教え、神の国にふさわしい生き方を教えました。特に、当時の社会から仲間外れにされていた人々と共に食事をしていました。その食事は、将来の神の国を指し示すだけではとどまらずに、神の国を象徴するような共同体を作りだしていきました。
自分の全てを献げるイエスの愛――神の愛――を知り、その愛が自分にも向けられたものとして受け取った人は、新しく生まれ変わります。その人は神を愛し、神の教えに生きる人になります。そこで起こる一つの転換が、「与えるより受ける方が幸いだ」というこの世の思想から、「受けるよりは与える方が幸いだ」というイエスの信仰への転換です。そしてそれは、人と人の間にも新たな愛を生み出すのです。
最後の晩餐では、イエスは一つのパンを裂いて分け与え、一つの杯からみんなが飲みました。喜んで分け合うことが生命につながる道であることを私たちは教えられています。イエスの愛を受け取ったとき、私たちは自分を献げ、自分がもっているものを与えて生きるように変えられていきます。そしてそこにこれまで求めて来たのに得られなかった幸せがあることを見出していくのです。
神の愛は私たちに感謝する心を与えてくださいます。感謝することによって、私たちの貪欲さや自分勝手さは癒され、与える喜びに目が開かれます。その人は与える人になり、その人から受け取った人がまた、感謝の心をもち、与える人に変えられていく。そのような感謝と贈与の連鎖がつながり、広がっていきます。
受けるよりは与える方が幸いだを知った人々がつながるとき、神の国を指し示すような共同体が現れてきます。それはこの世の中で、確かな光となり、希望となるのでしょう。
牧師 杉山望
July, 3, 2022, Sunday Worship Service
“Giving It All”
Scripture reading is taken from Mark 12:41-44
This week is Seminary Week which we remember in our worship and through our offerings the three Japan Baptist Convention (JBC) seminaries and the seminary students who study there. Seminary students are often referred to as “devotees” (献身者) in the church. That is a person who has dedicated his or her life to God. However, seminary students nor pastors are not the only “devotees.” If we live our lives following the Lord, we too are all “devotees.” Today, let us think together about the act of offering, what it aims at, and what it brings about.
The Widow Who Gave All She Had to Live On
At the time of the New Testament, there was a magnificent temple in Jerusalem called "Herod's Temple.” Every day in the temple, worship services were held, and sacrificial offerings were made. There were thirteen contribution chests shaped like trumpets in the temple. People who came to worship put their offerings in the trumpets for the temple treasury. Because many people made pilgrimages to this temple in Jerusalem, especially during festivals such as Passover, offerings were placed one after another.
Back then, there was no such thing as an offering bag, and coins were used instead of money made from paper. Therefore, every time someone put in an offering, the sound of money would be heard from trumpets. Rich people put in a lot of money while making a loud jingling sound.
Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched as the people put in their offerings. He could hear the many rich people putting in their offerings but did not say anything.
Then, a woman came. She was the poor widow whose husband had died and was probably living alone without a son to take care of her. She too went to the temple treasury to put in her offerings. When she did so, a small “clang, clang” could be heard. From the sound, it was clear that she had put in two leptons, which were the smallest copper coins that she could find.
The sound of the widow's offering was most likely heard by those around her as well. The rich people who contributed so much might have thought, “What a small contribution. How pathetic is it that all she can give is so little. I can give a lot.” Perhaps Jesus' disciples, who were also watching, may have thought that the rich person who could give so much was blessed and the widow who could only give a little was not blessed.
"Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”
(Mark 12:43-44 / New International Version (NIV))
For the poor widow, a mere two lepton coppers were all she had for living expenses. She could have chosen not to make the offering or to keep one lepton, but instead, she gave both. She gave all she had, even though she was on the edge of having enough to eat for today or tomorrow.
On the other hand, the rich certainly gave a lot. But it was only a part of what they had, and their contribution did not affect their daily lives.
The poor widow offered all that she had at that time. This was an offering of her whole life to God. Jesus set such a woman as an example for his disciples.
More Blessed to Receive Than to Give?
Shortly before this incident, Jesus warned against the teachers of the law as in the following verses.
“Watch out for the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows’ houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely.”
(Mark 12:38-40/NIV)
The teachers of the law were those who taught the teachings of the Bible. It seems that among them, some only wanted to be privileged, to be treated well, and live a prosperous life. Some of them even exploited the poor widows’ houses, so it is no wonder that Jesus was angry with them and criticized them.
Acts 20:35 introduced Jesus’ following words: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive..’ Although these words are not found in the Gospels, the way of life that Jesus teaches us in word and deed is precisely the one that indicated that it is more blessed to give than to receive.
However, the teachers of the law and the rich whom Jesus warned against seemed to have thought that it is more blessed to receive than to give. They were always thinking about how they could receive more. In some cases, they thought that the most important thing was how much more they could have, even if it meant taking from someone else.
And such thoughts are something that has continued to appeal even before New Testament times, and even in our time. Currently, in Japan, the election for the Upper House is underway. Among the many things that each political party and candidate is appealing to is how much more the voters can receive. We have been led to believe that this would make us happy, but is this true?
Jesus Christ Who Offered All
Jesus, who claimed that “It is more blessed to give than receive,” praised the widow who gave all that she had to live on. He praised her because it illustrated the very life that Jesus taught and demonstrated. Her offering was a foreshadowing of what Jesus was about to do.
The story that follows today’s passage of the widow’s offering is the Passion of Jesus, the short final period in the life of Jesus Christ. In today’s passage, Jesus was about to offer everything, his own life, to fulfil God’s plan and bring forth the Kingdom of God so that all who live in this world may have life.
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich.
(2 Corinthians 8:9/ NIV)
Though Jesus was rich, he gave his all for us. He offered everything so that our lost lives would be restored so that we could be born again to truly live in God's love and create peace.
Jesus did not, like the rich in today’s passage, give a portion of what he had to receive praise. Neither did Jesus devour the poor to gain honour and power like the teachers of the law. Jesus offered everything. He is the one who gave it all. That is why Jesus praised the widow who offered herself and gave all that she had.
The Cycle of Thankfulness and Giving
Today we also commemorate the Lord's Supper. We do this to remember Jesus Christ's Last Supper, where he shared a meal with his disciples. This meal also signified a "feast" that foreshadows the fulfilment of the Kingdom of God that brings forth peace.
Jesus Christ proclaimed the Kingdom of God, taught that everyone is loved by God, and showed how to live a life appropriate to the Kingdom of God. Jesus especially ate with those who were marginalized by the society of his day. His meals not only pointed to the coming Kingdom of God, but they also created a community that symbolized the Kingdom of God.
One who knows and receives the love of God and the love of Jesus, who offered it all, is transformed, born again. Such a person becomes one who loves God and lives by God’s teachings. One of the changes that happen in that person is a shift from the world's idea of "it is more blessed to receive than to give," to the faith of Jesus that claims, "it is more blessed to give than to receive.” And this change creates a new love between people.
At the Last Supper, Jesus broke and shared one bread, and everyone drank from one cup. This teaches us that sharing joyfully is the path that leads to life. When we receive the love of Jesus, we are changed to offering ourselves and giving what we have. And that is where we find the joy we have been seeking but could not find.
God's love gives us a grateful heart. Thanksgiving heals our greed and selfishness and opens our eyes to the joy of giving. As a person becomes a giver, the person who receives from that person is also transformed into a grateful giving person. This cycle of thankfulness and giving connects and expands.
When those who know that “it is more blessed to give than to receive” are brought together, a community that points to the Kingdom of God is born. Such a community will certainly be the hope and light of this world.
Pastor Nozomu Sugiyama
Kanazawa Baptist Church Lord's Supper
Hymn
No. 616 "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" (verses 1-3).
Invitation
The Lord's Supper is the table to which the Lord Jesus Christ has commanded us to partake and to which we have been invited. With the bread and the cup, we remember in awe and reverence that the Lord Jesus Christ was crucified for all people. The cross is filled with the powerful love of God who gave it all for us. This love was revealed in the resurrection of Christ. And we are deeply grateful that Christ still suffers with us and binds us together as the church.
The Lord's Supper is also a feast that foreshadows the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God that Jesus proclaimed. We offer ourselves to the Lord and work with the Lord, believing that on the day of Christ's return, we will share this table with all people.
For those who have been baptized and confess Jesus Christ as Savior, let us renew our commitment through the Lord's Supper. For those who have not yet made a public profession of faith, but believe in the Lord in their hearts, we encourage you to accept the Lord's Supper commemorated here as an invitation for you and to consider professing your faith.
Institution of the Lord’s Supper (1 Corinthians 11: 23-26)
For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.
Distribution and Partaking (Mark 14:22-24)
While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take it; this is my body.” (Mark 14:22)
Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and they all drank from it. “This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many,” he said to them. (Mark 14:23-24)
Prayer (prayer of thanksgiving)
Hymn
No. 616, "Must Jesus Bear the Cross Alone" (verse four).
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