It really isn't that hard!

     For those of you that have heard me preach, I am warning you ahead of time, you might know that
this is a bit of a frustration for me. But, seriously, it isn't that hard. I just don't understand. Why do we keep doing it. Next is the reading for today. I am going to put the rest of my rant, I mean response, below it.

Matthew 9:1-8 -New English Translation

After getting into a boat he crossed to the other side and came to his own town.  Just then some people brought to him a paralytic lying on a stretcher. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”  Then some of the experts in the law said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming!”  When Jesus perceived their thoughts he said, “Why do you respond with evil in your hearts?  Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or to say, ‘Stand up and walk’?  But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—then he said to the paralytic—“Stand up, take your stretcher, and go home.”  So he stood up and went home.  When the crowd saw this, they were afraid and honored God who had given such authority to men.

     An advertisement for the New English Translation describes itself as the newest English translation of the Bible. It is now in its second revision and is dated 2003 (which by internet standards is not new, but by Bible standards is quite new). The Bible.org translation team does describe itself as "Evangelical." That is probably part of the problem. Their gender bias is showing. It is, however, supposed to be a different translation based upon the best research directly from the Greek and Hebrew. This isn't the only Bible translation that gets its wrong. As far as I can tell, they all do! It really isn't that hard! Even the Common English Bible (dated newer at 2011), which tries to address this issue, somehow swings and misses with "The Human One." This misses the relationship aspect ("Son") and that Jesus was a specific person with a gender. 

     Yes, Jesus gives himself an unusual title, but it is made stranger and more opaque by a poor English translation. He describes himself with words that connect with Daniel and Ezekiel--"The Son of Humanity." It should not read "The Son of Man" in any current, new or modern Bible. The word in Greek means a human with no gender specificity. Yes, I know there was some goofy English convention to use generic statements about humans by saying any general male term. The problem is that it leaves a broad set of people out of a title that is supposed to be a universal title! This is the title that Jesus uses for self description. It matters. It also means that we miss our part because the section ends with the same bad translation pointing to authority with a certain subset. The universal title also means that ALL of us are responsible for bearing the healing and helping Way of Christ.

     Well, if you ever feel like people don't get you or can't seem to hear the way you prefer to be addressed, Jesus is with you there too! If you are frustrated by others missing the point of what you are doing, Jesus certainly can relate with you. If you feel like others aren't working as hard as you,... Yes, you got it. Jesus is there with you. 

Jesus, we pray that you teach us to listen. We are not very good at it most of the time. Guide us to truly understand your titles, mission, and purpose. Help us also to see how you accompany us in our daily lives. We adore you and praise you for your presence and peace. In your Name, we pray. Amen.