In the letter to the Philippians the writer specifically states "Leave no room for selfish ambition" (Phil. 2:3). It is unfortunate, that in today's world when we mention ambition to anyone then the automatic response is towards an ambition that elevates our own selves, precisely what is spoken against in the Philippians' passage. Does this then mean that we should be ambitionless and live our lives in drear pockets of poverty? Surely we can have some ambition in our lives because that is the driving force towards where we wish to be with our desires and eventual wants. Even Moses appears to have been conflicted on this one, with the flow of water at Meribah (Ex. 17:1-7) as this is thought to be where the prohibition to journey into the promised land originates. It is pride and ambition that is a root cause for disturbances in our path towards where God wishes us to be as we form community with others. Even the Elders and Priests of the nation are not immune to this ambition (Matt. 21.22) which is often still rampant in academia and the Church today.
Let's just spend some time with Moses, so that we are clear as to the causes of the issue for not only Moses but ourselves. It is the result of the underlying questioning that is present in the Israelite people as to the presence of God. Their question is an either/or question around God's presence in their midst. They wish to ascertain God's presence despite everything that has come their way. It is having everything given to them but not understanding where everything comes from as they cannot see God. It is similar to the boy who goes on a journey to find his family's ox whilst riding the animal. He looks all around and finds many things except the one thing he is looking for which requires him to have a change of perspective. In finding God we begin to perceive not with sight but with faith and must be taught this view. Moses' job was to bring his people into faith but tearing his hair out when they do not respond he becomes prideful and ambitious so strikes the rock hard, not as asked. He is unable to change their perspective by example but wishes to impose his will. In doing so he goes against God and is removed from the promise and his ability to enter into the new home.
The leaders of the temple were the same they had a viewpoint that was from a theological perspective, which was in keeping with how things were, much as some today. Their view was handed down, it was a view from the past not a view of God's presence. Christ challenges them to have an alternative view of God and not being able to in their pride and ambition they condemn and judge. This seems to be a perennial problem for us as we pride ourselves on our own knowledge and have ambitions about surpassing others that means we look for opportunities to further ourselves. Our own self esteem is more important to us then any other thing. Education is about ensuring that others achieve knowledge so that they can assist and help others not to empower themselves. We enable others in their faith journey by opening their eyes not to our understanding but to the presence of God in their midst, the one thing Moses failed to undertake. it is not sufficient for us as Christians to be ambitious for ourselves but rather we need to be ambitious for our neighbours so that we can enable them in the path towards God.
Christ's criticism of the priests and the elders (Matt. 21.31-32) is that they have not enabled the faith of others but rather hoarded their knowledge of God thinking to grow whilst leaving others in the dust. They are unable to see God's presence in the hearts of those that have no learning yet those whom they despise have a better understanding of God's presence because they show love for neighbour and build community. In the same way many laud it over others with their presumed knowledge without acting out and enabling the knowledge they have in a practical manner. The praxis of our knowledge of God and inclusion of others should be our ambition so that we can enable others to come to an understanding of God. If we are to enable others as disciples of Christ it is not what we know that is important, or how much we know but rather the application of our knowledge so that others may come to faith and understanding. Our ambition should be inclusive of the other not exclusive and only for our own betterment in the eyes of the world.
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