Be Earnest and Repent
by Fr. David M. Knight
Tuesday, November 19, 2024
Thirty-Third Week of the Year
Rv 3:1-6, 14-22/Lk 19:1-10 (Lectionary 498)
Revelation 3:1-22 has one of the most chilling warnings in Scripture: “Because you are lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of my mouth.” What does this say about Jesus? It seems to say Jesus is a passionate lover, and if we don’t love him back passionately, he abhors us. That is scary.
To be “abhorred” by Jesus Christ is about as bad as it can get. And seems out of character for him. He was known as the “friend of sinners.” He was on friendly terms with people whose houses the Jews would not even enter; with people in bad marriages and living together without marriage; with a woman notorious for her sinful life. He pardoned adultery and armed robbery, and worked miracles for those who had faith but false doctrine. He even went to dinner with Pharisees. But he will “spit out of his mouth” believing Christians just because they are “lukewarm” in their love for him? That is really scary!
Actually, it is consistent with everything else in the Gospels. Jesus excludes no one, rejects no one. But to those who would accept him, he declares up front that they have to give “all for All.” The price of admission into the community of his followers is non-negotiable: you give all you’ve got; all for All.
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which someone found and hid; then in joy goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
Sell all that you own; then come, follow me.
Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me
For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake... will save it.”
Those examples are pretty all-inclusive. And we have to keep it up:
You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste...It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out.
How does this fit the image of Christianity we grew up with? How passionate was that Jesus? The truth is, his demands are the measure of his love.
Those whom I love, I reprove and chastise. Be earnest, therefore, and repent.
Luke 19:1-10 shows passionate response to Jesus: Zacchaeus said:
“Lord, I am going to give half my belongings to the poor. and if I have extorted anything from anyone I shall repay it four times over.”
Jesus answered, “Today salvation has come to this house, for this is what it means....” We don’t know what it means to be “saved” until we give all for All.
Initiative: Change your goal from being “good” to being passionate.
Reflections brought to you by the Immersed in Christ Ministry
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