“For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?” This quote from Jesus appears in Mark 8 and Matthew 16 and the word “life” is often replaced with “soul”, depending on the version you read. I have often wondered about this – both passages, in context, are spoken right after Jesus asks His disciples who people say He is. Lots of answers are given, but Peter, in his usual bold and impetuous way, says, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” Jesus is proud of His boy, but when the discussion turns dark – that Jesus will die for His mission – Peter rebukes Him in front of the whole gang. I personally think that Peter is saying this makes Jesus mad; why else would He go from calling Peter the Rock (or Rocky/shaky, some experts tell us) to Satan! I can imagine this was a pretty awkward moment in the life of the movement.
While this initial passage is interpreted in many ways, I think it is about priorities. Not little priorities, like buying name-brands instead of cheaper versions. I think Jesus meant life-changing priorities like, what kind of person will I be? Will I be generous in life or only care about myself? Will I look the other way when people behave in terrible and destructive ways? We make these decisions overtly and indirectly – will I support and attend a congregation that is doing God’s work, or will I worship where entertainment is the only thing that matters? Will I give generously so that others might be helped, or will I hold back and put my money in my own pocket, like the guy in Luke 12 who sat back and was satisfied, only to die that night? How we live our lives matters, not just to God, but in the lives of other people.
There is nothing wrong with doing well in life. It is the love of money – not money itself – that is at the root of every evil. How we gain it and use it truly matters as long as we do good as well. And while I don’t believe that Jesus came to earth to die (He came to bring abundant life through the establishment of the Kingdom of God!), I do believe that He knew what He was up against. He knew that messing with the Empire and those who supported the Religious Monolith- which was maintained by some of the leaders, not all – would not go well, living-wise. He knew that following Him, at that time, was risky – even dangerous! Choosing to follow the hayseed Rabbi Jesus should not have been taken lightly.
I see people losing their souls daily. Like the angel Dudley said in “The Bishop’s Wife”, “There are lots of good people making bad choices.” How we live our lives – the choices we make – the votes we cast – the companies we support – they really do matter. Do we live for ourselves only, or do we live for others too? From a soul/spirit perspective, the difference really matters.
Prayer – Holy God, it is easy to convince ourselves that selfish decisions aren’t really wrong. That gaining the world is what matters. You show us a different way – help us to do well and do good. Amen.
Today’s art is “Art of Generosity” by Ishita.