Wednesday, March 23, 2022 – Lent Four: The Peter Principle

Then Peter chimed in, “We left everything and followed you. What do we get out of it?” (Matthew 19:27, The Message Bible)

                 What’s in it for me?

                Let’s be honest. There is a basic, certain self-interest in being a person of faith and belief. I don’t necessarily mean selfish, but making sure we have our ducks in a row to get our just desserts. Even the dialogue between the rich leader and Jesus was triggered by the man’s personal need or desire for eternal life: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) He went on to claim that he had lived a righteous life, going so far as to boldly assert that he had kept all the Ten Commandments, therefore “What do I lack?” It’s still all about him.

                Jesus turns the tables on the man and challenges the man to get out of his self-interest by rousing his selfless, philanthropic, compassionate care for others. “If you want to give it all you’ve got,” Jesus replied, “go sell your possessions; give everything to the poor. All your wealth will then be in heaven. Then come follow me.” That was not what the man wanted to hear. “And so, crestfallen, he walked away. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and he couldn’t bear to let go.” (v.22)

                 All the disciples are flabbergasted. If the prosperous, righteous man can’t make it, “then who has any chance at all?”  It’s almost amazing that they didn’t pack their bags right then and there and head back to their boats. They understood the profit in a good catch of fish.

                Peter had been watching and listening to this whole interaction between the rich man and Jesus. Look at everything we have given up to follow you Jesus – our fishing boats, our families, our reputations, our way of living – so what’s in this Jesus’ walk for me; what do I get out of it?

                There are many promises in scripture that the good will prosper and flourish but the bad will wither and perish. “But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon.” (Psalm 92:12, New Living Translation) That seems only fair to most of us, I think. Good guys should win; bad guys fail. Abundant life goes to the winner. Hell goes to the loser.

                Think of all the great hymns which celebrate the one-to-one personal relationship between just Jesus and me. Jesus loves me.  Jesus, lover of my soul. I am so glad that Jesus loves me. There is nothing wrong with these sorts of hymns but they do accentuate the individual’s desire to come first in the relationship between themselves and Jesus. Of course, that is always where it is going to start, with you and me, personally and individually, but it is not where it ends.

                I have sometimes heard good Christians complain when life goes sour, wondering what they had  done to deserve their suffering and pain. They might argue that they had been faithful Christians, going to church regularly, reading their bibles, praying often, gave frequently to the church, etc. – maybe not quite giving away all they’ve got but surely it should have been enough to secure some personal assurances of blessing, health and happiness in the here-and-now.  Bad things shouldn’t happen to good people.

                Peter asks on all our behalf – what do we get out of it? What’s in it for me?

                Jesus’ answer is that the future belongs to those who faithfully follow Jesus. It may take time but the kingdom and its riches belong to the poor in spirit, the sorrowful, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers and the persecuted. (Matthew 5: 1 – 10). How do these people rate God’s rewards? They hardly seem worthy enough.  But as Jesus points out the last shall be first, and the first shall be last.

God’s generous gift of life has often reversed the usual standards of success, joy, happiness and blessing. The gifts that come with following Jesus are not material goods and riches, not necessarily long healthy lives, not eternal, pleasurable existence, but the fruits of the kingdom, the advantages of trust and obedience, the benefits of the Holy Spirit working in our lives.

                What do you and I get out of following Jesus?   A prescription to love others, to share compassionately, to live for Christ, to let go and live in total trust.

                “And not only you, but anyone who sacrifices home, family, fields—whatever—because of me will get it all back a hundred times over, not to mention the considerable bonus of eternal life.” (Matthew 19: 29 -30, The Message)

 Dale