"Father, you alone are good. Thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for your sustenance and the rest which you provide to the Son of Man. Your kingdom come, your will be done."
"Let us now go to Jerusalem," He said to the others as He pointed west.
Passing through the city gates, He stepped onto the cool, wet grass. The brisk morning breeze was slowly sweeping away the morning mists that yet blocked out the waking sun. Following behind him were the quiet twelve still rubbing the sleep from their eyes. Soon John and James would be arguing amongst themselves. The weary Peter would attempt to make peace as Judas instigated from the rear. Today, He could not afford to allow arguments to slow the pace as Jerusalem was His week's end goal. To accomplish this the troupe needed to ford the Jordan before evening prevented further travel. If they could pass through the last portion of Judea to the Jordan by the 6th hour, they would be making very good time.Accustomed to the disciples' morning lethargy, Jesus often woke before the first hour of the day to spend time alone with His Father. Today, He had woken earlier than usual and now was afforded even more time to think to himself before the disciples fully awoke. The past weeks spent in Judea had drained him of all human strength. He had taught and healed day after day and at night, when he could finally get away from the crowds, there was even more work to do with the disciples. The only strength He had left to rely on was that which came from the Father through daily communion. This journey to Jerusalem would be another tiring test, but maybe, just maybe, once in Jerusalem there would be a day or two of rest. It seems as though...
"Teacher, teacher!"
He had not seen the young man chasing Him from the city. "Teacher, wait!" he cried as he bent over in front of Jesus to collect himself and catch his breath. Before looking up again to the master, he dropped his knee to the dirt in honor. As he knelt, he breathed heavily and said, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus, noticing that the disciples were now wide awake and intrigued by the question, replied with his own question, " Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone." This loaded question asked by the young man had necessitated an appropriate response from the Master. Jesus, knowing the young man's heart, wanted to challenge him to move past simply thinking about what he should do.
The young man refrained from answering, still holding out hope that Jesus would give Him an easy answer. He had heard about Jesus and His many miracles. He had even heard that Jesus could be the long awaited Messiah. Because of this, he was prepared to make a commitment to Jesus. Maybe he could provide monetary support, he was very good for that. Perhaps, even, he could house Jesus and His disciples to show his support. There must be something he could do, some next step.
Breaking the silence, Jesus said, "You know the commandments, 'do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"
His heart leaped at the reminder of his parents' teachings. From youth his parents had taught him to follow all these commands. "Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up!" What a confirmation this was for the young man to know that everything he was doing was right! Mother and Father would be so proud of him to know that the Messiah approved of him and his works.
But Jesus had not yet finished. Looking upon this young man in love, He knew what was said next would be painful. For He knew the young man was wealthy and a ruler and had many men who served him. The young man had worked hard early in his life and apprenticed with a good master. After proving himself, he had been elevated to a high position. Even his peers respected this young man and his work ethic. Not only that, they knew him to be a righteous man who held firm to the law and honored all men.
Jesus, spoke the words that needed to be said to the young man, "One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
At this, the young man's entire countenance fell. His eyes began to fill with tears at the realization of what Jesus had told him. The cost was too great. Had he not already done enough to earn God's favor? Did the good life that he was already living count for nothing? The young man, crushed, said nothing more. He walked away and never saw Jesus again.
What does life transformation mean? There are two very different understandings of life transformation in the American church. These views are no different than those with which the early church wrestled. In this story, found in Mark 10:17-22, Jesus represented true life transformation through a heart change, while the rich young ruler wanted good outward behavior to be enough.
Let me reiterate the vision of Wormwood Church: To see a city transformed one life at a time.
After two months of working for this church, sitting under the teaching of the lead pastor, and watching the way they do ministry, it saddens me to say that life transformation to them is behavioral change. Sunday after Sunday, the sermons emphasize right living and dos and don'ts checklists rather than the heart transforming message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. An entire month's sermons focused on challenging men to be warriors. Men become warriors by living right, honoring their families, abstaining from bad things, and going to church. Week after week, the invitation consisted of an ambiguous, watered-down gospel of works.
Outreach ministry was focused on spreading the word about the church. Members were encouraged to go out and spread the message, the message of Wormwood Church. The lead pastor, Joe, told stories each week in staff meeting about church members who had shared with people in the community about how Wormwood Church and Joe had transformed their lives. People were stepping away from drugs, quitting smoking, going to church, and living better lives.
How deep does transformation really go when Christ is not the center? AA can teach people to live better lives. Buddhism teaches one to abstain from many things that harm the body. Secularists teach people to live good lives just simply for the sake of living good lives. Purposeless behavioral change does not produce eternal results. The atheist who treats everyone with respect, rarely curses, and abstains from drugs, alcohol, and sex outside of marriage is still going to hell.
No one will enter the kingdom of heaven by following the laws of not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not bearing false witness, not defrauding, and honoring one's father and mother.
What about your heart!
Jesus said these things in Matthew 5:
"You have heard that the ancients were told, 'you shall not commit murder'... I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'you good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'you fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."
"You have heard that it was said, 'you shall not commit adultery'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart."
"Again, you have heard that the ancients were told, 'you shall not make false vows, but shall fulfill your vows to the Lord.' But I say to you, make no oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God, or by the earth, for it is the footstool of His feet, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King."
"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
The scribes and Pharisees followed the law to the extent of the dotting of I's and crossing of T's. They were good people. They lived good lives. They taught the same. If your righteousness does not surpass that of the Pharisees, near perfection in following the law, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Unless your heart is truly transformed, you have not been transformed.
Peter teaches this: "Sanctify (set apart) Christ as Lord of your hearts."
Paul teaches this: "If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved... Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved."
When Paul came to minister to the Corinthian church, he said this: "I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified."
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