‘What’s in it for me?’
25th January 2009
Matthew 19; 27 – 30
Peter said to Jesus: “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
The news this week has been dominated by the inauguration of Barack Obama as the new President of the United States. And he is already beginning to make an impact. The hopes of many people throughout the world have their hopes focussed on his presidency. Can Barack the builder do it? Many are saying, ‘yes he can!’
This week has also featured the refusal of the Inter Milan Football star Kaka to sign for Manchester City for a fee of over 90 million and a salary of ½ million per week. Kaka said that he preferred to stay with Inter Milan and that money isn’t everything! At a time when many fans are struggling to pay the inflated ticket prices we could deduce that this is a moral victory.
The banking crisis has revealed that the culture of ‘what’s in it for me?’ has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous. Perhaps greed has brought more of: ‘What can I get away with?’ However, it is very natural to ask, ‘what’s in it for me?’
In our gospel reading from St. Matthew, Peter said to Jesus:
“Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Jesus had just told a rich man to sell all his possessions and give them to the poor. The rich man went away very sad. Jesus then told his disciples: ‘it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’ The disciples were astonished and said: ‘who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at his disciples and said: ‘with man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
Try to imagine yourselves into Peter’s shoes. He is shocked! A respected Law abiding man could not make the grade! And here is ‘rough and ready’ Peter feeling more than a bit confused. He simply wanted to know where he stood. Wouldn’t we feel the same? Wouldn’t we say to the Lord, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?”
Peter’s question may well offend the pious but isn’t it a natural question? So Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter but gave him an answer that may help us all to understand ‘the benefits’ of being a Christian.
So, what’s in it for us? Two brief points:
First of all:
1. We share in his victory
I enjoy watching both football and rugby. When our team wins we get some insight into what it’s like to share in Christ’s victory and his heavenly glory. When our team wins we are elated and we want to celebrate. However, when we lose, we leave the ground quickly and try to forget the experience.
With Christ we are always with the winning team. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, the consequences of sin and death have been defeated. They have, so to speak, been kicked into touch and in Christ the game is declared over! So what’s in it for us? The greatest gift of all! Jesus has given us a New Life that begins right here and now and extends into eternity. As we journey through this life with Lord, we share in his victory through the New Life that he gives us. If we had team colours they would be the best in the universe! We share in his victory.
Secondly:
2. We will receive far more than we give up
Perhaps it’s our own fault that atheists believe that religious people are sad, anxious people!? Perhaps it’s us who have created an image of church as lifeless and boring? Perhaps it’s us who have given the impression that religion is more about death than life?
A church in Esher was having some building work done. The builders put up a sign outside that could challenge. It said: ‘Danger – Services’
We need to all we can to change the misguided impression that the life of the church is boring and lifeless. How about this for a slogan: ‘God does exist, so enjoy your life even more!’ This is the truth!
God wants you and me to enjoy our lives. Yes, we are called to give things up to follow Jesus. But often these things are either no good for us or they get in the way of our fulfilment! The truth is that we will receive far more that fulfils our lives than what we give up.
At the very foundation of a fulfilled life is a sense of direction and purpose. As we journey with Christ we know we have direction and purpose. What is more, we have the delight of journeying with fellow Christians. This is why the fellowship of the church is important. This is why worshipping and praying together is important.
We will receive far more than we give up.
St. Paul received far more than he gave up. And he gave up a lot to follow Jesus Christ! Today we celebrate his conversion. Let’s think briefly about the enormous change this brought in his life. St. Paul was a scholar and a Pharisee of the highest integrity. He had been persecuting Christians and was on his way to Damascus to persecute even more. In his conversion St. Paul had changed from being an enemy of the Church to its greatest missionary. But what did St. Paul say about what he gave up? In his letter to the Philippians he said:
‘I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him..’
