First Christian Church Odessa

I was reading earlier this week about an interview with Dr. Phil, the T.V. psychologist and celebrity. Dr. Phil was asked, “If you could interview anyone in the world, past or present, who would it be?” Without hesitation Dr. Phil responded, “Jesus Christ.” At first blush that sounds like a pretty good idea - sitting down with Jesus and asking him a few questions.

The problem is, in the bible, when people ask Jesus questions it never seems to go as they might expect. Jesus was really good at exposing people's hidden intentions. Anyone expecting a casual encounter with Jesus was likely to be surprised. I would imagine that Dr. Phil, like most of us, considers himself a good person. He really does help a lot of people, so he might expect he would have a lot in common with Jesus. I might say the same thing about myself. If I had a sit-down with Jesus, I could share about my seminary degree, the good things that are happening at the church. We might expect a pat on the back, "Dr. Phil, Clint, you are a terrific guy, keep up the good work.”

I can just imagine an opportunity to interview Jesus myself. Jesus would come into my home and sit on my couch and I could ask him questions. I would get the chance to share with Jesus all the good things in my home and life. Wouldn’t it be a lovely time? The problem though is I bet Jesus would not be interested in small talk. Jesus wouldn’t talk about the weather or the Chiefs. Jesus would quickly grow tired of looking at family pictures. Jesus would go to the heart of my struggles.

I imagine that Jesus would say to me, “Clint you know that resentment you have against so and so. You need to deal with that. It is hurting you. Why don’t you go and do something nice for that person.” Me: "Now wait a minute Jesus. That person really hurt me. You know what they did and said about me. I have a legitimate reason to hold a resentment against them. It kind of makes me mad to think that you would want me to do something nice to that kind of person."

Next Jesus might say, “You know that bank account you have. You have too much money in it. You need to give it away to the poor.” Me: "Whoa Jesus, hold on a minute. I love my bank account. I worked really hard for the bank account. You know it may rain one of these days. I’m saying that money for a time when I need it. It kind of insults me that you would ask something like that of me. What about all the good I’m doing?"

If we come to Jesus thinking we're doing okay, expecting Jesus to give us a pat on the back, chances are we'll be surprised by the encounter. In the passage just prior to our reading today Jesus clears the temple. There were money-changers set up in front of the temple where people were to buy their sheep or doves for sacrifice. Now the temple did a lot of good. The temple allowed people to make sacrifices to God. The people of Israel took great pride in their temple. But the temple had a monopoly on the animals to be used in the sacrifice. A sheep might really just cost ten dollars, but - because the temple was the only market available - they could charge fifteen. Maybe the temple had its reasons for raising the price: salaries to be paid, upkeep on the temple, maybe a little expansion. But the bottom line was the temple was exploiting poor people. The temple was charging more than was fair. I guess we can tell by Jesus’ actions that he didn't appreciate their exploitation of the poor. The temple must not serve itself but be a blessing to others.

I believe that there are basically two types of people. First there are those who are content with the status quo. This person is happy with his or her life. Good job, house, car, fun activities on the weekend. Life is good. Then there are those people who clearly recognize that their life is not what it is supposed to be. Jesus mentions tax collectors and prostitutes - two very unpopular groups of people. But they did have something going for them - they knew their lives needed to change. When John the Baptist burst onto the scene these people listened. They were desperate. John told them that God’s wrath was coming. They asked, “What should we do?” John’s message was simple. You have more than you need; share it. Do not use your authority to exploit other people. And they did it. We read about Zacchaeus the tax collector. He gave half his money to the poor and declared that if he cheated someone he would give them four times the amount. Tax collectors and prostitutes were working hard to change their lives.

When the church leaders heard John’s message, they drew the conclusion that this message did not apply to them. They did not need to repent. They were church folk. They did not live bad lives. They did not commit the big sins like a tax collector or a prostitute. So they missed the point. It doesn’t matter how much good we do, or how nice our lives might appear, Jesus wants to change us. Each and every single one of us needs to change. And if we don’t think that, then we’d better avoid talking with Jesus.

Jesus tells this parable about the two sons. When the father asks them to work, one says "Yes I will do what you want," but then he doesn’t do it. The other refuses to work, but then repents. We can easily answer the question, which one of these did as the father wanted. It's the one who acted. Words are cheap. Actions are what count. Anyone can say "yes" to God, that they will serve. But it's the people actually doing the work who are counted as faithful. I’ve said before I’m not so much interested in what you think about God as I am in how you treat yourself and other people - especially people you don’t like or agree with.

I’ll confess to you today, I hate change. I love routines. I eat the same breakfast nearly every day of the year. I like things the same. And this is not all bad. I have good routines with Bible reading, prayer and exercise. But I married a lady who doesn’t have a routine in her life. Why? Because there is a part of me that knows change is good. Anna is always looking for new things. New ways to give, new ways to understand things. I was drawn to her because I know that I need that in my life. I am prone to get into a rut. Anna doesn’t know what a rut is.

Here’s the bottom line. We’re all good people. We look nice today and there are many parts of our lives that are good. But we must be in touch with the reality that our lives need to change. We suffer from greed and fear and pride and lust. If we think that we are doing great just like the temple, the chances are Jesus may enter our lives and turn over some tables. It is so easy to look around our world and locate the "bad" guys: illegal immigrants, drug addicts, homeless folks. But the scriptures are clear: we are to keep our focus on our own lives, and work on our own faithfulness. Love your enemy, forgive those who hurt you, trust God in everything: these are difficult commands. And this parable reminds us that we are expected to actually do the work, not just say the words. This parable brings me to church; it brings me to my knees. May I be so busy trying to get better that I do not miss God. I invite you to join me in prayer.