Pentecost 20
Our reflection this week starts with Luke’s Gospel and the discussion Jesus has with his followers about living into the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-30). There are two encounters described for us as we think about what we mean and what Jesus meant about the Kingdom.
In the first story, Jesus stops the disciples ordering the children with their parents away from bothering him, and Jesus states very clearly, the little children must be able to come to him and must not be stopped, because it is to them and those like them that the Kingdom of God belongs.
The second encounter is between a ‘certain ruler’ and Jesus. The story is about the ruler’s enquiry concerning what he must do to inherit eternal life. In this moment, when Jesus answers the question with another question, we start to hear about discipleship, relationships, faith and trust. It obvious the ruler is solely focussed on a simple transaction with God. The ruler wants this prize, so what does he need to do to get it? He’s not interested in a longer-term relationship with God.
Our lives have many such transactions each day, and we don’t waste time thinking about them. They are the ordinary everyday actions we have to do in order to live and survive. Yet, sometimes we become very aware of the transactional, short-term nature of our relationships and encounters when we recognise there is a certain ruler in the world at the moment, who talks constantly about the art of the ‘deal’. The ‘deal’ - not ‘relationships’! From the ruler’s perspective, relationships are only important if they help us to get what we want.
Jesus offers us these two ways to think about this conundrum: what is it we think we want, and how are we imagining we might get it or be given it. Are we using our regular calculations about what we will have to do to persuade Jesus that we should have it, as a right because we deserve it?
Jesus’ first insight is to remind us we need to be, as little children behave with a loving parent; dependent and vulnerable, open hearted, clear thinking, questioning, curious and accepting in our relationship with God. The second insight is to open ourselves to giving up whatever it is we most desire as the gospel of Jesus is beyond any price and worth every sacrifice; and until we realise this it will always be beyond our reach. In the ruler’s case, he was challenged about sacrificing his wealth, the most important thing in his life. Jesus showed the ruler clearly, all things were secondary to his wealth and so the transaction was found to be beyond his willingness to pay, even though it was not beyond his capacity. The terms of the deal the ruler was looking for didn’t exist. Jesus pointed out to him, giving, sharing and being generous instead in the kingdom are offered by God without any charge or deal, even though this appears nonsensical. The ruler was unable to contemplate life differently and accept the transformation which would happen if he was willing to accept Jesus’ invitation.
The disciples also heard this conversation and when Jesus laid it out clearly for the ruler, they saw if a rich man is unable to transform himself, then how is anyone saved? They ask Jesus in a panic. Peter lays out his understanding of their deal with him. He says, ‘look we’ve given up everything’; and Jesus reassures him,’ those who have given away the world, will be part of this age in the kingdom and in the ages to come.’ Those who have willingly stepped into the kingdom will find themselves transformed, it is not what they have purchased, it is what God has offered without a deal, and God’s invitation has been accepted and the choice becomes real. It is God who offers, gives and saves, it has no bearing on ourselves, our worldly wealth or status.
At the heart of this matter, we discover once again, there is no deal. Whatever we are imagining or hearing from Jesus, can’t be bought. The kingdom instead involves letting God change our hearts, being transformed. Being willing to step out in faith, being curious, accepting, open hearted and vulnerable, just like a child, and recognising Jesus is at the heart of all things, including in our hearts, is the way through the complexity into the simple act of faith and trust.
Let’s be clear, our money, race and ethnicity, our passport, citizenship, wealth and privileges are not and never will give us access to eternal life, however and whatever we imagine this to be. And the kingdom is certainly not more of the same as we see on earth. As Paul reminds us in the Letter to the Galatians, in this world:
As many of you as were baptised into Christ, have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is no longer Jew of Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female, for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.’ Gal.3:27-28
By now, the transaction being broached by the ruler appears very messy, unachievable, nonsensical and he is unable to go any further with Jesus. It’s obvious there’s no clear price tag, no deal which can be done, with a handshake, and the promise of litigation if any aspects are broken. If there is no relationship there can be no way forward. While it seems like Jesus is talking nonsense and is being completely unrealistic, the ruler assumes there is no point in taking this any further and so he walks away sadly, and so he is absorbed back into the world’s reality rather than stepping into relationship with God in God’s kingdom.
Paul reminds us in his second letter to Timothy: this is always the way it will be. The choices we make lead us into relationship with Jesus, towards salvation and ‘his heavenly kingdom’ (2 Tim. 4:18) or in rejecting the relationship choosing to let go and turn away. For Paul, his choices have brought him to being:
poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.’2Tim.4:6-8
And all who have shared this journey of faith with Jesus, will be given the crown of righteousness. It is not a ‘once only’ deal, but a shared, continuous journey of faith in relationship with God, open, vulnerable, curious, accepting and steadfast, and we walk like little children in Jesus’ company, letting go of everything hindering us from seeing and hearing God, loving God and living with God and with joy we accept Jesus’ invitation to follow him, as nothing else matters.
The Lord be with you.