The Gospel message is radical, so radical that we are afraid to share it. So we replace it with one that makes more human sense. Rob Lacey brings it out powerfully. Section entitled, “Smelly Feet”.
“Two guys, right? Both up to their hairlines in debt... The creditors cancel both accounts. They now have a clear credit rating. Which of the two will be more grateful? … The one with the bigger debt written off. And Jesus goes on to talk about the woman who is smothering his feet in kisses, etc – clear evidence that she was released from loads of debt. She is “forgiven”. Your mess is cleaned up. You're straightened out and sorted in God's books. The only further comment from Jesus: Your trust has got you through this. Walk away content.”
God cleans up mess. God straightens people out. All people? In Jesus' story the reason the creditor cancels both accounts is that neither can even get close to paying off their debt. He doesn't, for example, send them off to permanent penal pain because they are unable to pay off their debts. No, he cancels the debts. When it comes to us and God Jesus clearly states that some have a huge debt cancelled (and they are hugely grateful). But: “for someone who's done little wrong, we're right down the other end of the spectrum – not that grateful really!” Some huge debts, some tiny debts. Jesus recognises that some are worse “sinners” than others – and all have fallen short. And so all debts are cancelled, all are forgiven.
Does this apply to everyone, or just some? If just some, what are the criteria? The only clue given is Jesus parting shot: “Your trust has got you through this.” She trusted Jesus. Meaning? Presumably meaning that she recognised that she could not sort out her mess on her won, that Jesus had God's authority to sort out mess (“forgive”) and her foot-washing act demonstrated some kind of penitence. That is, she had a desire to be right with God, and not “shove the mess behind the sofa”.
So Jesus is probably not saying, “Increase your debt as much as you can, so that you will enjoy the release of so much more forgiveness,” but rather, “However huge your debt, if/when you come to your senses and want to sort it out with God, don't be afraid – he will sort out your mess and straighten you out.”
This is good news. “You're heading for permanent penal pain unless you do this or that,” is bad news – and also misses the point.
1 comment:
I liked the way you developed your argument - and especially the bit, "when you come to your senses and want to sort it out with God" as the basic thing which leads us to God so that he can sort it out. Tx
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