Pentecost 19

Reformation, Media

Larry V. Smoose

What’s your deal breaker?  That’s a question we all face at some time or another in our lives.  It can be during negotiations for a job; it can occur in relationships as people determine whether or not to get married;  it can be criteria for deciding what college to apply to or to consider.  The question is usually considered at a turning point in the decision-making process.  At least that’s the case with the young man who ran up to Jesus in our Gospel lesson.

He is a good man – conscientious, disciplined, thoughtful, and he has a measure of humility as he runs up and kneels before Jesus.  He is seeking security – assurance that he will have all of the joys anticipated in the promise of eternal life.  It’s a nagging issue in the back of the minds of a lot of people.  Not only the question of is there an afterlife, but what it is like and most importantly, whether I will qualify.  This young man is a serious, faith-practicing person who must, at one level see himself to be as good as – and possibly better – than most.  He keeps the commandments, worships each Sabbath, and all the things you expect a good, spiritual person to do.  And yet there is a bit of concern, a bit of doubt as to whether the life he is leading is adequate. 

After all, if it is as our lesson from Hebrews says, “The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; able to judge thoughts and intentions of the heart.  And before whom no one is hidden but all are naked and laid bare to the eyes of the one to whom we must render an account.”  Then there is plenty of room for doubt isn’t there?  So why not ask this rabbi, this one who seems to be blessed with wisdom and power from God.  What must I do?  I have kept all the commandments from my youth. 

I’m not sure what he expected Jesus to say, but it is pretty clear that he was not ready for the response – one thing you lack – go, sell what you own, give the money to the poor . . .he was shocked by the response and went away grieving – it was a deal breaker.   It’s hard for those who are rich to get into heaven Jesus says to his perplexed disciples.  “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven.”  That’s like saying there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell of rich people getting into heaven.  Which astounds the disciples – then who can be saved?  For mortals it is impossible. 

Impossible – because we are always worrying about what we have to give up.  The big difference between the disciples and the rich young man was in the perspective governing their lives. 

Let me explain.  (Go to a parent)    If your child was in an accident, or suddenly developed some rare disease – how much would you pay to get them well?  (ANYTHING)  You would jeopardize your savings?  Mortgage your house?  Dip into your pension? 

Here’s a strange truth – what we fear to give up in one instance – we will freely give up for someone we love.  Love changes our perspective and our attitude.  The disciples were able to give up everything – without a thought of it at the time – because they were drawn in by the love of Jesus and the vision he cast of participation in his kingdom. 

As they looked back on his incident and remembered the story of the rich young man in order to write it down for future generations, they had also been through deal breaking moments in their lives.  For Peter – the one who so quickly reminded Jesus that they had left everything to follow him – the deal breaker was to risk his life or deny he knew Jesus.  For Judas, it was the lure of 30 pieces of silver.  For John, the deal breaker was the need to touch Jesus’ wounds before he would believe in the resurrection. 

In the end, it gets back to the astonishment expressed by the disciples – then who can be saved?  The question that gnaws  at the back of our thoughts and minds.  If it’s up to us, we are in trouble – the deal breakers will get us.  Sports on Sunday can make it tough to get to church.  The stewardship campaign can rub us the wrong way as we look for increased money for mission.  The pastor’s ability to make all the visits needed can create a sense of neglect.   The synod or church at large takes the wrong stance on an issue.  There are deal breakers all over the place that cause some people to walk away grieving.  With mortals it is impossible. 

But where love is involved – you find a way.   So when God faces the dealbreakers of humanity -- the refusals to give enough, the denials of his Lordship, the betrayal of the faith, the day to day issues of life that compromise our ability to follow Jesus or the comparisons with others in our efforts to justify ourselves and hope that we have done enough – in fact when we just get sick and tired of how good Jesus appears to be and how much his presence offends us, accuses us, challenges our way of life and suggests that we change so that we crucify him!  Even that is not a deal breaker for the love of God. 

For three days after people thought they had defeated the do-goodism of the love of God, Jesus came up from the gates of hell – holding a snow ball – it was the same day that the camel when through the eye of the needle – and it was the day God  showed humanity the power of love by freely giving all you have for the sake of children you love.  For with God, all things are possible.

This love of God flowing in and through us can help us find ways to turn our fear of loss into visions of gain so that we will discover it is not so much what we are giving up that makes a difference, but what we are able to give in love that makes the difference in our relationship to God and to each other.  For God, through Christ’s death and resurrection erases the deal-breaking moments that grieve us and may have caused us to wander away and invites us to come back and follow him.   

Amen.