28 February 2007
Matthew 14-21
Again in these chapters, we see miracles performed, the faithful being rewarded, and the faithless, who are often the disciples, are explained to over and over again the simple yet mysterious ways of the Kingdom of Heaven. Who else would tell someone, a Pharisee at that, that a prostitute and a tax collector would enter the Kingdom first, and that to have faith and humility like a little child is something worth owning? These were Jews who loved to argue and study and trump one another over the Torah and God's teachings, and here this upstart from Nazareth is telling them that their ways are wrong, and it is what comes from the heart that matters. The people of faith are often the poor and ill, and want to believe in a Master so virtuous that He would actually descend from His throne and heal them. Jesus tells His disciples to take up the cross and "Follow me," and that still holds true in 2007. "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it." (Matt 16:25) To an ordinary person, that makes absolutely no sense. Perhaps that is why Jesus' teachings give such hope to the poor, the lonely, and the desperate. Having already lost a life in this world, they can only gain a life in Heaven by following Jesus. Those who don't have a lot to lose are willing to risk. Those who have treasures on Earth are a little suspicious of Jesus. You mean we'd have to sell everything we own, and be poor, and eat with sinners and the unclean, to be rewarded in the Kingdom of Heaven? (Matthe 19:21-25) Absolutely. I imagine that upset quite a few people among Jesus' listeners. Being told that the first will be last, and the last will be first? (Matt. 20:16) No way. But if we believe Jesus' message, then we are called to live outside our comfort zones and take up His cross.
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4 comments:
Well said, Sarah. And just before the "last shall be first" story comes the rich young ruler episode as well. One can't help but pity the poor guy in a way. Doubtless, in all of us there's some of that desire to hold on to what we have and a lot of that hesitation before the terrifying abandon to which Jesus calls us in these passages. It's comforting that amid these hard teachings and before the sheep and goats parable and the inappropriately dressed wedding guest story of the next reading, merciful Jesus assures us that "it is never the will of your Father in heaven that one of these little ones should be lost" (18:14).
We're always told in fiction and history that the greatest heros had nothing to lose, and therefore nothing to fear. I think 'nothing' is a bit of an exaggeration since we know even Jesus was afraid and would gladly have taken a route other than the crucifiction had there been one within God's will. Nonetheless, the idea is potent. poverty or joblessness. Some in church The more tragic heros generally spend much of their story having things taken away from them, but Jesus cousels us to take them away ourselves in very vivid language. It's a bolder plan, more deliberate, and of our free will. It's a discipline in other words, though this discipline isn't mindless or unmerciful. Rather, we who have passed through childhood and realized the power and independence of adulthood are now asked to willingly hand that over and be children as far as God is concerned, relinquishing anything we consider the backup plan for when we suspect God isn't giving us precisely what we want. Children don't have the luxary of backup plans, and THAT is the luxary I think we're being asked to give up. Whether it is money depends on the person. Some people find security in things entirely unrelated to wealth such as church positions or prominant standing in a community. Even intellect is a hindrance when it's used to deflect correction or avoid unpleasant truths. This by no means says to us, "go home, quit your job, stop volunteering, and throw away your books!" But we are supposed to part with the false ideas we have about things, and if we cannot do that, then the thing itself must go.
This passage hurts to watch. The multitudes followed in desperation, believing because he is their last and best hope, and are treated with compassion even in the moments when Jesus wanted to be alone (1). It is a captivating idea that God might want to be alone sometimes. And Jesus, desiring to be alone, goes to the mountains--this after John was killed--and returns to be met with his faithless disciples. It must have broken his heart, no?
I've lately been trying to think of Christ not only as divine but also as human; he felt pain before he entered Gethsemane (not that I had not thought of it before, but sometimes I forget).
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