Step eight comes across as a fairly easy step at first glance. I only need to transfer my list of people, places and things from step 5 and be willing to change. The “big book” offers all of three sentences so maybe it is that easy.
NOT! If I’m truly committed to changing I must dig a bit deeper. The 12 & 12 is a perfect book to clarify what this step is all about. Of course the key phrase happens at the end of the 12 & 12’s 8th step chapter where it states that this step is the beginning of the end of isolation from our fellows. I would add it also brings us into a relationship with God as well. You see, the work of writing a list is the beginning of loving one’s neighbor as oneself.
Today’s scripture offers us a snippet of a larger discourse by Jesus called the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is revolutionizing the local Jewish faith and laying down the ground work for Christian faith. He begins the chapter by blessing the people. He moves to the part we are focused on, in which he attempts to correct issues of the day – murder, adultery, divorce, integrity, revenge and love. He then moves to discipleship practices and finishes up with teachings on social and economic processes.
Matt 5:21-25 says:
“You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder,[a] and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’ But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister[b][c] will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’[d] is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.
a. Matthew 5:21 Exodus 20:13
b. Matthew 5:22 The Greek word for brother or sister (adelphos) refers here to a fellow disciple, whether man or woman; also in verse 23.
c. Matthew 5:22 Some manuscripts brother or sister without cause
d. Matthew 5:22 An Aramaic term of contempt
I am focusing on Jesus’ interpretation of the murder commandment because of our quick response to say we never did that. Yet, we have under this definition. I have murdered plenty of people in road rage, home rage, church rage, worship rage and preacher rage. I have killed hundreds of thousands of people with sarcastic comments and innuendos to make myself feel better. My list is lonnnngggg!!!
I can still remember when I was a young buck hanging out with the boys at bashes, bars and beaches where I made it an Olympic sport of cutting down others as they came in or walked by. I thought I was so funny. I really believed I was hurting anybody… but I was. I was hurting them and me. I was artificially building myself up while cutting down God’s creation. I was mocking God. I also kept myself from forming relationships with people who could have changed my life. I kept myself from enjoying more of His creation in favor of my own. I often look back on those moments and cringe. I wonder what God might have thought as I sat there, looking like a 5”5” troll next to my 6”5” prison guard friend, casting out a barrage of negative comments as we laughed in false superiority. Did God just look at me and just shake his head? I actually thought this was okay! I can go on but I won’t. Needless to say we all need to review our behaviors and change.
The first part of step eight is just that: a recognition that we had a part to play in almost all of our relationship failures and that our resentments dramatically affected the way we interacted with the world and subsequently, how we viewed God’s interactions with each of us.
The second part of the step is a little more nebulous. “Becoming willing” allows for a lot of leeway and procrastination. If fact, maybe that’s the point; each person who thoroughly walks the steps of recovery in life, will continually assess if their recovery is worth it. Maybe Bill Wilson, the founder of AA, wanted each of us to reflect upon what we are about to do so that step 9 wouldn’t just be running around saying “I’m sorry” but, that it would be a time in which we were aware of the larger prize ahead. We are admitting to ourselves as we complete this step that drinking, eating, gambling, controlling had really warped our sense of how the real world actually works and we were now ready to discover the truth.
Jesus says in Matt 5:43-47 the following:
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?
The scripture highlights Bill’s assertion that real personal truth will sometimes only come from those who you have attached yourself to through resentment. Jesus is very clear in this same section of scripture about loving for your enemies. The gift in doing so in His name is a freedom that comes from being able to once again walk around with your head held high. To have dignity and integrity in a world that is still so lost and to a have a relationship with God who insures you a place in the next life seems to be a wonderful motivator.
Tonight, I have prepared the table to remember Jesus’ example of what it means to be willing. Jesus knowing the day of His earthly death was upon Him, that there was traitor in His midst and that the future forecast was unbearable pain, celebrated the love of friendship, the release of the Holy Spirit on the world when he returned and our ability to count on the fact, we who walk in His way, will someday celebrate with Him.
Read the account from Matt 26:26-30: While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s Kingdom.” When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.
If you would like to know more about the author: https://communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
