Wednesday, February 21, 2024 – Lent Two: Jesus Asks! Tough Questions for a Lenten Faith
“Why do you call me
good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good…” (Mark 10:18, New Living Translation)
It is a bit of a puzzling question
from Jesus. Perhaps, he was sensing a condescending, flattering attitude from
the man who asked Jesus about what he had to do to inherit eternal life. One gets
the sense in the Gospels that Jesus never needed to be idolized or adored by
the public. This man seemed to be looking for pat answers in his quest and
Jesus wanted to deflect the possible pandering to his own ego.
Like last week, we are left again
confronted with Jesus’ identity – who do we say he is?
I can’t help but think of Jesus’
poignant “I am” pronouncements in John’s Gospel. I am, Jesus said, the bread of
Life, the Light of the world, the gate for the sheep, the Good Shepherd, Son of
God, the resurrection and the life, the Messiah, the way and the truth and the
life.
If none of those are good enough
for us, then I am at a loss for words.
Jesus didn’t look to be put on a
pedestal and hero-worshipped. He was too good for that! He did not want to
appear more important than God. “Though he was God, he did not think of
equality with God as something to cling to.” (Philippians 2:6, NLT) Or “to
be grasped” as some translations have it. Paul goes on to say, “When he
appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a
criminal’s death on a cross.” (vss 7 - 8) Rather inglorious, yet, in its
most humiliating reality, very powerful and redemptive.
Simply put, Jesus knew, understood
and practiced the grace of humility, meekness and service. Goodness was more than
mere reputation, people’s popular opinion or well-managed public relations. “God
blesses those who are humble, for they will inherit the whole earth.” (Matthew
5: 5, NLT)
His teachings on servanthood are
a good example, “but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be
your servant.” (Matthew 20:26, NKJV) We are inspired by his example when he
washed his disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, a job that, normally, only servants
would have done. Humble service is born
out of his loving desire to make a difference in people’s lives, not counting
the cost, not worrying about one’s status or looking for rewards and
acclamations. Jesus’ modesty and humility were the cornerstones of his goodness
and he didn’t need people’s adulation to do what he did. “Take my yoke upon
you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will
find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NLT)
We have all had moments in our lives
when we felt that we didn’t get enough credit for something we did. We are disappointed
when others failed to notice what a good job we had done. A good pat on the
back would have been appreciated or our names spoken out loud by the pastor or
the team leader. A ‘thank-you’ would have been nice. It is human nature to want
to be congratulated on a job well-done. “The master said, ‘Well done, my
good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small
amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate
together!’ (Matthew 25:23, NLT)
But such recognition is not the main
motive for our endeavours. “Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others.
Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3,
NLT)
Our goodness is predicated on serving as Jesus himself set the example. “I
have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater
than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends
the message. Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.”
(John 13: 15 -17, NLT)
Maybe, others won’t notice your
goodness but trust God that he will: “I know all the things you do. I have
seen your love, your faith, your service, and your patient endurance. And I can
see your constant improvement in all these things.” (Revelation 2: 19, NLT)
Dale
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