Friday, August 30, 2024

I find it particularly intriguing when we reach that moment in the play *Godspell* where Jesus discusses the two primary things that people tend to seek in this world. It's amusing to see how the characters embody the very words of Jesus, bringing them to life on stage. In this pivotal scene, Jesus boldly declares that it's impossible to love both God and money. The actors exchange glances filled with disbelief, as if to say, "What? You can't love God?" But then Jesus completes His thought, adding, "and money." The actors immediately respond with an exclamation, "Oh money!" This moment resonates deeply because it captures an age-old truth, one that has echoed throughout history. What exactly does Jesus convey in this statement? He explains that a person can either love one—God—and consequently despise the other—money—or vice versa. In essence, it presents a stark dichotomy: you either bless the greedy or curse them; there is no middle ground. The psalmist describes Jesus as being filled with an intense zeal for the will of His Father. His zeal was so profound that He endured ridicule and scorn from those around Him, ultimately choosing to be surrounded by those who mocked Him. This was part of His mission—to offer a chance for redemption even to those who scorned Him. Such is the kind of zeal that we, too, must cultivate if we wish to prioritize the pursuit of His kingdom above all else. It requires us to remove any hindrances that could distract us from our true focus. It’s about being prepared to bear ridicule and to carry our own crosses in the pursuit of something far greater. As we embark on the journey of salvation, we discover that the word we seek—the truth of God—becomes our only steadfast anchor. Our attachment to the material possessions and fleeting pleasures of this world begins to diminish. The culmination of our faith lies in storing our treasures in heaven rather than accumulating riches on Earth. We learn to cling to eternal values, fostering a sense of detachment from worldly things. If we allow ourselves to be guided along this transformative path, we can find joy in the experience. This journey represents deliverance; it signifies the Word of God coming alive within us—not merely a narrative we read, but an active, vibrant reality that shapes our lives. When Jesus speaks of "hate," He is referring to a willingness to sacrifice one for the sake of the other. He challenges us to consider whether we would be prepared to relinquish our wealth and social standing in pursuit of a relationship with Him. Life sometimes leads us down that very challenging path. The question arises: would you be willing to lose everything you hold dear in order to gain the promise of eternal life?

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