Sacrifice, Part 2

²⁹ And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, ³⁰ who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

Luke 18:29-30 (ESV) 

Following Christ is a journey that demands everything we are and have – nothing is exempt. And while the cost can be high the rewards are always higher. Christ promises very clearly to reward those who sacrifice as they follow Him. This is a ‘great and precious promise.’ It gives us incredible freedom to

know that the things that we sacrifice as we follow Christ are actually a form of sowing that will reap a harvest in this life and throughout eternity. It is, however, only true in a conditional sense – it is a conditional promise. That is to say, when we sacrifice for Christ – according the conditions or parameters He set – He will reward accordingly. The flip side is that if we sacrifice according to any other conditions He is no way obligated to reward or provide.

I know that I’m not alone in coming up with a ‘great idea’ for ministry and jumping into it wholeheartedly – making great sacrifice to see it become a reality and then asking God to bless it. I know that I’m not alone feeling frustrated, even angry at God when these sacrifices are met with silence. It is hard to face the reality that maybe my ‘great idea’ wasn’t His idea at all – and all the sacrifice made was maybe not asked for – maybe more about me than about Him.

And I’m convinced that this is important to remember in a day when so many voices are calling out for our allegiance. We live today, not only in a culture, but in a church culture that is full of idols that demand everything and give nothing in return. There are countless voices today asking you to sacrifice for them or their ministry in the name of Christ and promising great reward. This great promise of Christ is being twisted into a magical incantation where we get to use Christ for our gain rather than being used by Christ for the gain of the Kingdom.

In the synoptic accounts of this promise there are some subtle nuances to each writers recounting that I find helpful. In Matthew 18:29 (ESV), Jesus says; “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” In Mark 10:29-30 (ESV) Jesus says; “Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel,who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”

And in Luke 18:29-30 Jesus says; “.” And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”

For my name’s sake. For my sake and for the gospel. For the sake of the kingdom of God. I think each phrase gives us some insight that helps us clarify when and where and what we should sacrifice as we follow Christ.

Is it for Christ? Is if for the actual person of Christ – not an idea, not a proposition but the MAN.

Is it for the sake of His gospel? Is it for the teaching of Christ’s words – for the MESSAGE.

Is if for the sake of the kingdom of God? Is it to advance God’s kingdom – not our kingdom, not our ministry, not even our church but for His MISSION.

The Man. The Message. The Mission. This helps me evaluate any potential sacrifice. Is this from Christ or somewhere else? Is this His idea or mine or someone else claiming His name? Who gets the glory? What message is proclaimed? What cause is advanced?

If it is for Christ, His Word and His Work – then no sacrifice should be feared for He will reward.

What is He calling you to?

Sacrifice

Following Christ is an amazing journey full of unexpected twists and turns – joys unimaginable as we get to watch God do what only God can do. To follow is to enter to the life that God has dreamed up for us – the life that He is creating and will provide for. There is nothing like it and no alternative that even comes close to offering what God has in store for those who love Him and are called according to His purpose!

To follow requires change – and change, even change for the good – is difficult. There is something in human nature that longs to remove mystery – to create a secure and safe environment where we feel a sense of control – it’s called the sin nature. I’m becoming more and more aware that the essence of our sin nature is a desire to control. It is ultimately a desire to usurp God’s role in our life so that we get to call the shots and make sure that God is working to fulfill our desires. Our sin nature flips reality upside down convincing us that the created should control the Creator and the King is led by His subjects.

So when God calls us in His grace and goodness to follow Him into something new – something glorious and wonderful that only He could imagine for us – let alone something painful and stretching that only He in His wisdom knows we need and can survive – there is something within us that naturally balks. We question; “Is it worth it? Is it good? Can I trust Him? Will He provide? Will He reward?” In a guilt/work based gospel just asking or admitting to asking these questions can lead to a downward spiral of despair that paralyzes.

There is a scene from the life and ministry of Jesus that is recorded in the synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark and Luke) that I found so encouraging this week. In Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18 the disciples record that a man sought out Jesus. He came with an agenda – he was a man that was used to getting what he wanted. He was a man of position and power secured by his wealth. He was also a man that knew that there was something missing – something lacking in his life – something he couldn’t yet control. He knew that one day he would face God and he wanted to make sure on that day things went in his favor.

So he asked Jesus, “Teacher what must I do to inherit eternal life?” In many ways it is such a good question in that it deals with matters of such importance and ultimate relevance. In other ways it is a tragic question because of the underlying assumptions the very question exposes. Here is a man convinced that salvation and blessing are completely dependent upon his performance. Everything in his life has convinced him that this is the way the world works. All of his relationships have functioned according to a “what do you have to offer me” mentality – why should God be any different?

Jesus answered his question, “You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery, Do not murder, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.” I imagine at this moment this ‘rich young ruler’ felt a surge relief and joy as he responds “All these I have kept from my youth.” I’ve done it. I’m good to go. And he wouldn’t have been alone in his assessment. He lived in culture that deeply believed financial prosperity to be a clear indication of a righteous life and God’s blessing. If there was someone who was on the inside track it was this young man.

But the whole scene turns with Jesus’ next words, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” I’m sure you could have heard a pin drop. Isn’t it just like Jesus to cut to the heart of the matter? Let’s be clear, Jesus in no way if offering to sell salvation to this man – it is in fact the exact opposite reality that Jesus is addressing. This is a man trusting in his wealth – his ability and his accomplishments – who sees salvation as simply another possession to be acquired. It is this mentality – this philosophy – this idol that Jesus confronts.

I find it interesting that almost every sermon I’ve heard on this text includes a hastily given explanation comforting the congregation that Jesus isn’t asking us to sell everything we have – He is addressing the heart issue. I wonder. Especially since Jesus continues by saying, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” Clearly what Jesus is teaching isn’t entirely limited to this one man’s experience. Jesus is commenting on a much more universally experienced reality that is just as true today as it was in His day.

This man’s wealth wasn’t his opportunity for salvation it was his obstacle to it! It was his security – it was where he placed his trust. In order to receive salvation he had to let go of what was already in his hand. To follow Jesus to a new life means leaving the old. The gospel always demands and commands a change of allegiance and priorities. To follow Jesus always requires sacrifice.

The crowd who witnessed this conversation, including Jesus’ disciples were dumbstruck. Jesus had just challenged everything they thought they knew about God. Their response is almost comedic, “Who then can be saved?” If this guy isn’t “in”, if salvation is that difficult who can get it? Jesus answer – “Now you’re finally getting it! No one! No one can ‘get it’ on their own. With man this is impossible but with God all things are possible.” 

In each gospel the scene then turns. Peter, it had to be Peter, blurts out, “Jesus. What about us? Are we good? We’ve left everything to follow you – family, friends, jobs – what about us?” It is Jesus’ response to this question that really grips me. He doesn’t rebuke Peter for being presumptuous or a lack of faith. He does comfort him, “No one who gives up anything that I’ve them to will regret it – they will be taken care of beyond belief in this world – and of course they have an eternity to look forward to as friends of God.”

Here’s what I love about this text. First, Jesus clarifies reality. If you follow Him, you will have to pick up your cross, deny yourself and follow. Jesus is not a panacea to the woes of the world who will make your life comfortable and convenient. Following Him demands change and sacrifice. Second, Jesus confronts reality. The world tells us that that kind of sacrifice is foolish – that we have to look out for ourselves – that God isn’t good or trustworthy. Jesus calls us into change and sacrifice because it is good for us – we need it. He wants to give us what is truly good for us but in order to receive it we have to let go of whatever we’ve put in His place. Lastly, Jesus really comforts.While acknowledging the cost of following Him He just as readily address the rewards. No sacrifice goes unnoticed and no sacrifice goes unpaid.

When God calls us to sacrifice something, there is a sense that it really isn’t a sacrifice. Yes it hurts. Yes it costs. But God has promised to see and to repay – to reward those who earnestly seek after Him. I’m reminded again of the words of Jim Elliot – the great missionary who made the ultimate sacrifice a man can make who said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”

Here’s what I’m convinced of. If you’ve actually read through this post there is a real good chance that God is calling you to follow Him and that call is demanding change. That change comes with a cost. It’s often a cost we fear paying. Go for it! You can trust Him! He not only knows what’s best for you, He wants what’s best for you! C.S. Lewis wrote in his book The Weight of Glory, “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.” Let go of what your holding on to. Leave the known to venture into the unknown.

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 1:7 (ESV)