On Taking Responsiblity

Someone comes to Jesus asking him to settle a dispute in the family. That is, after all, one of the things that rabbis could be called upon to do. And yet, in the tradition of the wise judges, a dispute settlement is never just that. It’s also a teaching moment. So, as is quite common in rabbinic discussion, the teacher turns the question back on the seeker, the student—“Friend, who set me to be judge or arbitrator over you?”

“Friend, who sets me as judge? Perhaps it is you. You are the one who seeks. But what is it that you seek? Do you come seeking wealth? Be careful of your greed. You might spend a lifetime seeking wealth, only to discover that you have never enjoyed life. What is it that you seek in this request for judgement? Is it worth more than your relationship with your brother?”

As humans, we are often tempted to appeal to external authorities for gain. And yet, what is the gain that we seek? Jesus asks the seeker to really examine the priorities in life; and to consider the request that is made—“Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you?”

This passage reminds us to be careful in our appeals to divine judgement and arbitration because we just may find that that judgement falls on ourselves because our priorities are skewed. It asks us to take seriously God’s call to relationship in the entirety of our lives—even in situations of the seeking of judgement and justice.

This passage also reminds us of God’s mercy, because surely if judgement was truly made, none of us would be found innocent in our actions and in our motives.
This passage invites us to focus on the things that are important in a life centred on God; and to set aside those things that don’t fit.

This passage invites us to take responsibility for God’s judgement, which is God’s mercy, in our interactions with others.

“Friend, who set me to be a judge or arbitrator over you? It is better that you take responsibility for your own decisions, because those decisions are what makes your life the life that it is—one centred on God; or one dedicated to building bigger barns.”