Just Desserts
Luke 9:18-27
Which do you prefer, dessert now or dessert later?
Photo by Kelvin Han on Unsplash
Once when Jesus was praying alone, with only the disciples near him, he asked them, “Who do the crowds say that I am?” They answered, “John the Baptist; but others, Elijah; and still others, that one of the ancient prophets has arisen.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered, “The Messiah of God.” He sternly ordered and commanded them not to tell anyone, saying, “The Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.” Then he said to them all, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves? Those who are ashamed of me and of my words, of them the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.” - Luke 9:18-27
When it comes to my financial portfolio, my financial advisor always says I should focus on the long-term and not make decisions based on the present situation.
That is good advice that we have followed religiously for years, decades, and it has paid off.
In a way, Jesus is giving his disciples the same advice. Focus on the big picture, not the present situation.
If we truly believe in an afterlife, that long-term gets a hell of a lot longer, doesn’t it?
The point is this. What are you saving up for? This life or eternity?
If the answer is this life, then I can understand why you want to hold onto every dollar of your money and let others who have more pay more so you can enjoy a good life now.
Yes, that sounds like propaganda. Many have turned away from the church, believing it has held people back, telling them to be happy with little or nothing.
They are focused on the short-term, which to them is long-term or whole-term, their lifetime.
They find no consolation in the knowledge that the rich, the people who have it all today, may lose in the afterlife.
Out of sight, out of mind. Who cares about what happens when we die?
So, Jesus has a tough job trying to sell people on eternity. We don’t care. We want dessert now.
Every port we arrive at in our world cruise is a gateway to some beautiful sights. We have wonderful excursions to places with amazing vistas and glimpses of ancient cultures. But there is also poverty.
We may pass it by bus, or walk around it on our way to the aquarium, but it is there. People are living in ramshackle buildings and on the streets.
Sometimes, new luxury beachfront apartment complexes and hotels are being built alongside slums.
So, what is Jesus telling us? Is he saying we should tear down the luxury homes?
No. He is saying we have it in our power to give from our bounty, to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, comfort the sick, visit the lonely and imprisoned, and embrace those who live alongside us.
That is how we focus on the long-term, not for our gain, but for everyone now and forever.
In a few days, Lent will begin, and we will focus on giving up something we desire. Maybe that is the wrong way to look at it. Maybe we should think of it as delaying the reward.
We will be able to have that cake or ice cream later. All we are doing is saving it for when we can enjoy it.
More to come...