Westhill Lent Reflection 19 Mar 2021

Lent Reflection 19 Mar 2021

Reading: Phil 3: 7-14

On one occasion when Jesus spoke to his disciples about his impending suffering, death and resurrection he finished with this exhortation to them.

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.” (Luke 9: 23-24)

What does denying ourselves and taking up our cross daily mean? What did Jesus mean by ‘whoever wants to save their life will lose it’? Like many of the sayings of Jesus, at first sight it seems counter-intuitive. The fact is that almost all of us endeavour to preserve our lives. If approached by a fast moving, erratic vehicle we will step back hastily. If we develop symptoms of a life-threatening condition we will immediately seek medical aid. Was Jesus really implying that we should be indifferent or careless about our personal safety and wellbeing?

I’m sure he wasn’t, because throughout his entire ministry he gave the health and wellbeing of others highest priority. He restored Jairus’ daughter, he raised Lazarus, he healed Peter’s mother-in-law and the centurion’s servant. He restored damaged limbs, sightless eyes and deaf ears. He showed us how much value God places on healthy bodies and long, productive lives.

And yet, and yet, he was as blunt as could be about the final end of these bodies and the life we live in them on this earth. All of it, our bodies, our possessions, our buildings, our enterprises, all of it is destined to decay and perish. The life to come, the kingdom of heaven, is the only lasting reality, compared with which this life on earth in our mortal bodies is but a shadow destined to vanish. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth, “I declare to you, brothers and sisters, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable” (1 Cor 15: 50).

Jesus repeatedly presented us with this challenge. Where are you building your future house of dreams? Where are you accumulating your treasure? There is only one word, he said, to describe the one who’s sole objective is security and provision for this life. Because it is all going to vanish you can only describe that person as foolish. The wise person builds upon a rock that will last for eternity. Jesus calls us to make building God’s kingdom our priority, our ambition, our passion, and to allow none of the decaying things of this life to have any hold over us.

The apostle Paul understood this. He wrote, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him.” (Phil 3: 7-9).

That’s a powerful word, garbage. What do you suppose Paul included in the “all things” he had lost? What about a nice villa by the sea in Sicily, Paul? Perhaps with an attached vineyard and winery, a steady income, adequate medical provision until you reach a ripe old age. Surely that would be preferable to the prison cell from which you wrote this letter, and the very real prospect of eventual execution? No, he says. To be honest I would have to rank all those things the world holds dear alongside the contents of the rubbish bin, compared to the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.

Surpassing worth indeed. 1 Corinthians 2:9 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” Rom 8: 16 says, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” As the twentieth century martyr, Jim Elliott, said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

During Lent we deliberately seek for the light of God to shine upon our lives, particularly our choices and the things we hold dear. We ask the Lord to show us what things we need to let go, lest they exert too great a hold over us. And always, every time, we hear his voice gently replying,

“Those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples.” (Luke 14: 33).

I always feel convicted when I read these words of Jesus and those that the apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi. I feel I couldn’t echo Paul’s words without being hypocritical. I know there are so many earthly things that I still cling on to. But then as I read a little further in Paul’s letter I find reassurance.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.” (Phil 3: 12)

I’m not there yet, said Paul. This is what I long to be like, but I still have a way to go. But of this I am sure – Jesus Christ has hold of me, and I’m going to press on until I fully see all he has planned for me.

I once paraphrased these sentiments of Paul and set them to music. I was shocked to discover that this was 35 years ago. I’d like to invite you to sing this hymn with me now. It’s a very simple melody, so I think you will pick it up quickly. And if like me you feel unworthy singing these words, remember we can express them, not as some claim to perfect holiness, but as the desire and longing of our hearts. Lord, we’re not there yet, but we’re pressing on by your grace.

Song https://www.jennysteve.net/music/score/Iwant.htm

Prayer

Lord Jesus Christ,

Your amazing grace is such that though you were rich beyond all splendour yet for our sakes you became poor, that we through your poverty might become rich. Bestow your grace upon us we pray, not just that we may benefit from its abundant provision for all of our needs, but that our whole beings, body, soul and spirit, may be characterised by that very same grace that moved you.

We ask this for the glory of your name,

Amen