A great part of the Judeo/Christian heritage is and always has been concern for the “other.”
The Jews of the Hebrew Bible have historically had concern for “the widow, the orphan and the resident alien.” The foreigner…the alien in the land…the Gentile, if you will.
Following their lead, Christians have always been motivated to be involved with the hungry, the thirsty, the stranger, the sick, the naked and the imprisoned. This was regardless if such people were members of Christ’s church or not.
One only has to recall – the parable of the “Good Samaritan” who was generous to a victim who was not of his own religion. He thought of the “other” and he took care of the “other.”
Jews and Christians historically, have cared about “the other…”
And here, during what was to be his last week before his death, Jesus is still teaching and preaching the same thing.
Jesus is warning people against preoccupation with “their own salvation!”
With Jesus the emphasis was on “the other person.” You’ll remember he was the man who lived for others…and was actually called “the man for others.”
That is exactly what the whole “crucifixion thing” was about. Dying for others…sacrificing for others…making an atonement for others…
Are YOU saved?
Are YOU saved?
Are YOU saved?
These are NOT the proper or even appropriate questions for anyone to be asking-ever!
Loving our neighbor just to get ourselves into heaven, would not be “real love.” It would be — love with baggage. Me first, then you.
When you live your life loving God and loving your neighbor – you do not have the time to “selfishly worry about YOU!”
We are to be following Jesus’ lead on this one. We are to do as he did. Live our lives – as he lived his life.
Remember way back on the Sermon on the Mount, how Jesus taught from early on about the need “NOT to worry.”
God will take care of you.
He has taken pretty good care of you so far…and he will continue to do so. He will be with you…to the end of time.
Behold the birds of the air…
Behold the lilies of the field…
Don’t worry about what you will eat or what you will drink or what to wear…God provides…God will take care of you…
We are saved by Grace, NOT by good deeds…not by our works…
Can you ever be good enough? Of course not!
Can you ever do enough for others? Well, NO!
Are you able to save yourself? That’s a big fail!
Don’t worry, God has got your back…he has you. He holds you up. He loves you. He lifts you up. Jesus taught all this from early on – and he continued to teach it even during the last week of his life.
There – during the crucifixion, Jesus demonstrated the exact same “selfless, genuine and authentic love” that he demands or requires of all of his followers.
He was flogged, mocked, tortured, beaten and executed for his beliefs in God and for us, not for himself.
It was not some selfish grand ego-stunt to gain fame and fortune. He loved God and all of humanity and was willing to give his life for us…and that is exactly what he did.
The question should never be asked, “Are YOU saved?” Because that makes everything about YOU!
Rather the question if asked at all, should be, “Do you love the Lord your God with all your mind, heart, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself?”
Now that’s a question that makes sense. That is a question that speaks volumes.
Do you? That’s what Jesus spoke of -during his last week on earth…
Loving God, loving each other…a new commandment I give to you…
And again from the view point of the Judeo/Christian point of view…this was nothing new…as old as the Shema itself…
“The Greatest of all the Commandments” – Jesus called it. All the commandments, all the laws, all the prophets hinge on this one simple commandment.
You are to love the Lord your God, with all your mind, heart, soul and strength and your neighbor as yourself…do this…and you have kept all the laws…
So, how are YOU doing? With the holidays coming – remember it is not about YOU – but it IS – about “those who go without!” It is about the hungry, thirsty, naked, sick and imprisoned.
Remember the poor and the needy and while you are at it, don’t forget the elderly!
Amen.