Wholesale Gospel

Not long ago, I was in Walmart and got to thinking, how come I have to park so far away from the entrance and wait so long at register even when they have 15 or more cashiers running at quick paces? I look around the store and there are people, all kinds of people from every walk of life. I look on the shelves and they are always full and there are several choices, several brands, and several prices to create the “shopping feeling” that some of us pride ourselves. I got to thinking why Walmart is so popular. Perhaps you have too. I think Walmart’s marketing niche is to the shoppers who want a lot stuff inexpensively with the least amount of commitment and loyalty to the products or the store. It’s the American way – marketplace mentality – getting something of perceived value for the least amount of money -- the least amount of pain.

Given this same context, I began to think about the gospel and the parable of rich man. The story of the rich man is a story of a man who truly believed that he was exceptional and believes, without a doubt, that he would inherit eternal life. Jesus listens to the rich, young ruler. After a brief lecture by Jesus, clarifying goodness, the rich, young ruler reflects on Jesus’ lecture and assures himself, and presumably Jesus, that he has kept all the commandments and in so doing has honored God and is deserving of eternal life. He even explains to Jesus that he has done all of these things since his youth.

There is a final statement by Jesus that acknowledges his faithfulness to the commandments, but goodness is not measured by our obedience to the commandments, faithfulness is measured by our commitment to the sick, the marginal, the rejected, the poor and the lonely. Jesus asks for a greater commitment than the a commitment to the marketplace. Jesus says, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come follow me” Luke 18:22. The scripture goes on  to say, “But when he heard this he became sad; for he was very rich.” Luke 18:23

 

What Jesus was asking from the rich man is equally as difficult for those of us with moderate income, perhaps even no income. This parable is not so much about giving money to the poor as it is about giving our life, our livelihood, and our very hearts to live a life worthy of kingdom values – Christ kingdom values. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not about inexpensive abundance, like the choices at a Walmart store. Faith is not about silly gimmicks and “throw-away” merchandise. Discipleship is about a value that cannot be measured in dollars and cents, sales and savings, choices and full parking lots. No, discipleship is a life change that requires more than one’s status in the world, how much gold is in our financial portfolio, or the number of vehicles we own. The gospel is not wholesale – living out our discipleship with the least amount of effort. No, it is so much more than that and the rich, young ruler may have a problem giving up his choices and probably didn’t care much for Jesus’ judgment that demonstrated worth in the form of sacrifice, but this is what real discipleship is all about. The promise that Jesus gives to us is a truth that can prevail if we can trust him.  He says, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God” Luke 18:26. May it be so for us today? 

Prayer: 

God, I come to you with my wealth, my  abundant gifts, and as a rich young ruler and  I ask the same question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” You’ve answered the question with your life. May I be as courageous and strong as you, believing that what is impossible for a mortal, such as I, is possible with God. Amen.

From whence does my help come?

Recently, I listened to the youth in my Sunday morning class talk about what they did to bring the New Year in! They talked about sledding, they talked about late night parties, and they talked about the excitement of ringing in the New Year with family and friends. New Year’s Eve is like the capstone of our Christmas celebration. For four weeks we prepare to receive the Christ child, anticipating the light that comes into our darkness and shines all around us and we take that same light – that light so much a part of Christmas night, and bring it with us into the New Year. 

It may have been a cold winter night for the psalmist or perhaps an ending and a new beginning similar to our New Year celebration when the psalmist penned the words, “I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from?” Whatever the context of the question, we can conclude that our psalmist was curious and in a reflective state of mind. Such is the opportunity that greets us as we begin another year. It’s easy to find a New Year’s party or spend a quiet evening with family, ringing in the New Year with a glass of wine, bubbly grape juice or a toast to the New Year with some Champagne. It takes less revelry and a little more time to stand at the threshold of a New Year and ask, “where does my help come from?” It is probably not something that many would ask at midnight after all the shouting, but maybe this is the time – the time to look to the year past and say thank you for the memories, the joys, the sorrow, the challenges, and the unexpected events that changed our lives. Maybe this is the time to lift our eyes to the hills, acknowledging God’s careful and attentive attention to each one of us and to our families and friends. This is the time to look into the New Year with unfettered hope and a wild imagination that envision a closer relationship with God and God’s heavenly realm.  

I lift my eyes to the hills – where does my help come from? The psalmist answers, “My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth…” The psalmist wrote a song, a poem. The wise men brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The angels brought a song to sing and the shepherds brought their curiosity, their sheep and their excitement about the Child King, the Messiah. In our secular world of memorable Christmas songs, the drummer boy plays his drum for baby Jesus and Mary keeps all of these things as special memories of the heart.  What can I give? I can give my life. As we leave the light of Christmas behind and cross the threshold of this New Year, may we embrace this year confident that the Lord will keep us from harm and watch over our coming and our going from this day on and forevermore? 

Prayer: 

God, one year has passed and a New Year is within our grasp and you have made this possible for us. God you created the world, your words have been heard through the ages and your voice calls us from a future yet unknown. God, may the light of baby Jesus shine upon us and may we find peace in knowing that you do not leave us alone and watch over us on this day and forever. Amen.