The 12^th Sunday after Pentecost

August 22, 2004

Jesus must have frustrated the heck out of a lot of his listeners. We accuse politicians of the non-answer answer, but none of them are as good at it as Jesus.

And some one said to him, “Lord, will those who are saved be few?” And he said to them, “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.”

It is an age old question. It was asked over and over again in Jesus’ time, and it is in ours. Hollywood has a dozen or more answers, and novelists are making millions giving their own version of an answer. But Jesus did not answer.

Jesus does not even go near the person’s question. Yes, Jesus is being evasive. Jesus avoids getting into generalized debates that can go on forever and never address the life of the person in relationship to God. Should I pay taxes? How many will be saved? Who is good, etc. When he does reply to such questions, it is with a parable or teaching such as the coin to pay taxes in which say “Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and unto God the things that are God’s” or the parable of the Good Samaritan.

He avoids debates that set himself up as God and judge. “None is good but God” he says. He avoids debates that setup traps for him. Jesus is not interested in being the star of the debating team. Jesus is interested in the lives of individuals and the Kingdom of God.

When asked the road to God and salvation by individuals for themselves, Jesus reads the life of the individual and responds in love and truth. The answers he gives are often not the ones sought or expected but the ones necessary for that individual’s wholeness and salvation. Jesus’ answers always speak truth from love and compassion to that individual so that they may enter God’s Kingdom. He does not speak generalities to them. He knows what is keeping that person from God, and he addresses that. “Go in peace! Your faith has made you well.” Or “Go sell all that you have; give to the poor; and come follow me.” Some that by all standards of the time and religion are not good candidates go and find God and salvation. Others who are good and religious people turn away saddened at Jesus’ answer.

Yes, in replying to the person’s question, Jesus is evasive. He avoids the question because it does nothing for the salvation of the individual or the Kingdom of God. A direct answer just adds fuel to the debate about who is saved. “I am because . . . “You can’t possibly be saved because . . .” “I cannot be saved . . .” All of these are human reasons and not God’s.

Instead Jesus speaks to each of his listeners and addresses them. “Strive to enter by the narrow door; for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” It is irrelevant whether many or few will be saved. You, you, you and you must strive to enter. And you must take the task seriously. Going along casually doing whatever you want will not get you through the gate. Being a good, observing, devote, Jew, Episcopalian, Baptist, Catholic, Pentecostal or whatever will not get you through the gate either. Nor will social status or lack of it or wealth or poverty in of themselves get you through.

Going through the narrow gate, knowing God and God’s grace, the Kingdom of God must be the priority of our lives in whatever place and path we find ourselves. Strive to enter because failing to enter has serious results. If you do not succeed, you will find yourself outside weeping and wailing and being cast away. Entering the Kingdom, getting through the narrow gate is a source of anxiety. We have got to get it right or else. We must be perfect!

As Augustine of Hippo put it “Go where thou wilt, He sees thee; light thy lamp, He sees thee; quench its light, He sees thee. Fear Him who ever beholds thee. If thou wilt sin, seek a place where He cannot see thee, and do what thou wilt.”

How is your anxiety level right now? Are you well on your way to your master plan for entering through the narrow gate? Are your goals and objectives in place and properly worded? How is your marketing plan? Do you have a plan that makes the workout schedule of and Olympic athlete look like child’s play? Are financial plans in order? Do you have the proper technology and media resources? Are all of your beliefs and behaviors in perfect order? Are sure you have got it all worked out? Is your mental state in shape?

Yes I have it all in order. Yes I am really striving. Yes! I will win the gold medal. I will make it. I will be number one! You congratulate yourself for being number one, for being sure, for making it.

Then Jesus pulls the rug from under it all. “And behold, some are last who will be first, and some are first who will be last.”

The problem is we cannot save ourselves. An anxiety attack in and of itself will not save you (though on occasion it can help). The best of plans, belonging to the right group, claiming the right ancestors, or any human program cannot save you or me.

To love God with all our heart, soul and mind, to love neighbor as self, to truly pray and work for God’s Kingdom of peace, justice and love on this earth, to live simply and humbly, to pray constantly, to feed the poor, and to minister to the outcast and dress the hurts of the wounded, all of these we are to do! We are to seek God’s Kingdom and its righteousness first. We pray in the Eucharistic Prayer “Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only, and not for strength; for pardon only, and not renewal.” All of these take striving, and for all of them we are to strive – even, if need be, unto death.

But they do not save us! It is God who saves us! Finally we come to that place of grace where we know we must be obedient not to get through the gate, but because in his love and mercy God has taken us who should be last and brought us, who do not deserve it, through the gate that we might be at the great feast. We who are failures, sinners, and the prodigal have been brought in by God’s grace.

What must I do to be saved? Ask honestly. Listen carefully and openly. Be obedient. Give thanks for God’s grace, mercy and love!

The Rev. William O. Breedlove II

St. Barnabas Episcopal Church, Monmouth Junction, NJ