Modern Day Pharisees

The First Baptist Church of Jacksonville Florida spans a full 4 city blocks in the heart of down town. Each time this church holds a service, the City of Jacksonville shuts down the streets around the church and blocks them off.

This church hires its own security guards as well as off duty police officers to secure and police the building; not only during its services, but 24 hours a day, every day of the year.

Sunday night, I was at the library in downtown Jacksonville and ended up staying later than the busses run. I happen to live about 8 miles away from downtown; a walk I've made before, but certainly do not relish.

As I stood on the sidewalk in front of the First Baptist Church, doing nothing more than gazing down the street preparing myself for the long trek ahead of me, the security guard abruptly approached me and said: "Maam, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

I was stunned. Had I done something offensive? I hadn't said anything to anyone, so it couldn't have been that. It was rather cold and I was wearing long pants and long sleaves. Surly it couldn't have been the way I was dressed. What could I have possibly done to be asked to leave a public sidewalk?

"Sir, this is a public sidewalk" I responded.

"No it isn't, it is Church property." The guard pointed to the patch on his uniform and continued, "I work for the First Baptist Church and I know what I'm talking about."

I looked around and pointed to the street that was coned off, "And what about the street?"

"The Church rents the streets during its services and blocks them off. You can't stand there either," the guard replied.

"So you mean to tell me I'm being kicked off of God's property?"

"Yes, I am and if you don't leave right now, I'm calling the police," he threatened in an impatient tone.'

"So you mean I am not welcomed on God's property?" I persisted.

The guard reached for his radio and began to make contact with the other guards who worked for the Church.

Not feeling up to being arrested for standing on a public sidewalk minding my own business, I walked off. I wondered what Jesus would say if he'd seen this. Then several passages came to mind:

Matthew 25:31-40
Matthew 23:1-36
Matthew 5:3-12
Luke 11:37-54
And even
Isaiah 29:13

So, as I left, I began chanting, "As you've done to the least of these, so have you done to me!"

About 3 miles down the road is a gay bar named "616."

My throat was sore from chanting the verse over and over and I was thirsty from the walk. I had no money, so I went in to ask only for a glass of water.

The bartender smiled at me and gave me not only the water that I asked for, but stuck a straw in it for me as well.

How odd, I thought. I've just been kicked off of the sidewalk in front of a the First Baptist Church where I was asking for nothing. Yet these people, who are "Sinners," and "Heathens," and according to those who just booted me off the sidewalk, the "Cursed of the Earth," the "Lowest of the lows," and "Doomed to an eternity in hell for sure........" have welcomed me in to their business that is opened to make money, and freely gave me a glass of water, knowing that I have absolutely nothing to offer them but a "Thank you," in return for their kindness.

I wondered if it was just a fluke. So, about a mile down the road was another bar, "The Starlight." This bar is not necessarily a "Gay," bar, though the crowd is mixed with both gays and straights.

Once again, with no money, I entered the bar and asked for a glass of water.

The lady behind the counter smiled a genuine smile at me and filled a plastic "To Go" cup with ice water, put a straw in it for me, and even asked me if I wanted a lemon wedge in it as well...

It was simply amazing!

I declined the lemon and thanked her for the water. As I left the second bar it seemed to me that these people, the ones who are claimed to be cursed, accused and damned are actually the ones who "Get it." Meanwhile, those who are supposed to be the "Role Models," the "Saved Ones," the "Voices of God," are actually the same people that Jesus himself condemned 2000 years ago.

The story of the Pharisee pounding his chest comes to mind and Jesus telling his listeners, "This man has received his reward."

Then it also occurs to me that if there is a heaven and a hell, and these modern day Pharisees are going to be in heaven, I'd rather spend my eternity in hell, with the heathens.
Sandi