their synagogues and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and curing every disease and every sickness among the people. (24) So his fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought to him all the sick, those who were afflicted with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, and paralytics, and he cured them. (25) And great crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.
Do you ever wonder what others really think of you? What is the word about you “on the street”? Do you think that what people say about you—your “fame” for want of a better term—could be based on your physical appearance, your family background, your character, some outrageous behavior you exhibit? Have you cultivated a persona designed to elicit some specific response from your public? Would your reputation involve your Christian faith and actions that grow out of that faith? Or would your reputation be built on something else?
Another question: What would you like people to think of you? In the extreme case, what would you like said at your funeral or inscribed on your tombstone?
We have learned that Jesus was the Son of God. So far in Matthew’s gospel we have heard that from the author (with the genealogy), from God (at the baptism), and from Satan (in the temptation). Jesus was aware who he was and because of who he was, and his call, and his struggle with Satan, he had begun to work out what it was that he was to do: teach, proclaim God’s kingdom, and heal all who came to him.
Based on what he was doing, “his fame” went out to all the inhabitants of the land. We learn a couple of things from this. Jesus’ vocation to proclaim and push God’s agenda to make life good for everyone was stunning enough to provide the basis for some serious and far reaching “fame.” We also know that eventually Jesus would probably run into trouble with the legally constituted political and religious authorities who would value their own careers more than they would like to see the people under their care helped.
Maybe “fame” is not a desirable goal. Jesus was never out to blow his own horn and get “fame” and attention for himself. Perhaps the best thing is to focus on your own calling (vocation) and let the chips fall where they may.
Prayer: Keep me aware that my main concern is to be known by you. Amen.
11 – I’m Not on the List!
Matthew 5:1–12 — (1) When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. (2) Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
(3) “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(4) Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
(5) Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
(6) Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
(7) Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
(8) Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
(9) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
(10) Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
(11) Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. (12) Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
I write this on Christmas Eve when that icon of American consumerism, selfish individualism, and shallow moralism—a. k. a. Santa Claus—begins his trek from his shop at the North Pole to my house with my present because I think that I deserve it because I’ve been good (according to my own “naughty or nice” list [that I made up]).
But college students aren’t on Jesus’ list of the blessed! It doesn’t say, “Blessed are those who study, for they shall succeed.” It doesn’t mention those who are poor because of educational loans or who hunger for fall break. So how do you get on the list? There are two options. One is to change yourself to fit his categories. That is the “do-it-yourself” option so prevalent in America. It’s exactly what you are up to in college—self-improvement.
The other option is more realistic. It is to recognize who you are and what you are into. If you are not on Jesus’ list, if you aren’t ready for the kingdom of heaven, the first step is to admit it. If you don’t know which way to change (repent), then acknowledging you are not on track is the first step in finding the right one.
Prayer: Help me to see myself through your eyes and not the world’s. I want to be on your list. Amen.
12 – Irreplaceable
Matthew 5:13–16 — (13) “You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. (14) You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hid. (15) No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. (16) In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to you Father in heaven.”
Parsons, St. Mary of the Plains, Emporia. These are among the many American colleges that no longer exist. They were established to do something that their founders felt deeply about. Now they are gone—mostly due to lack of money. That doesn’t mean that the vision that inspired them is not important.
The demise of a college is a wrenching experience. Employees lose jobs, buildings and resources go unused and unattended. Worst of all, the students and alumni are orphaned. It is as if a parent—the alma mater—has died. The “person” who gave them a unique training or fellowship is gone. There is no “home” to return to. The loss is the loss of something essential in the lives of the bereft alumni. When such a loss occurs, what exactly is lost? Is it irreplaceable? Today, if a college closes (dies), there are still more than 4,000 others to take its place. Or are there? Is there another one just like the one that disappeared?
In what respect would the world suffer loss if you were not here? Someday you won’t be. How critical a loss will that be? Jesus addresses the disciples and calls them “salt” and “light.” These labels are often reapplied to the church. If there were no Christian church, what would be lost? The Christian church is unique. Like “salt,” it is irreplaceable; there is no substitute. Like “light,” it is unique; there is nothing that can replace it. You belong to something unique and important. The world needs the church. And you are a unique and necessary part of that church. And the church is uniquely necessary—as “salt” and “light”—to you.
Prayer: Lord, you have made me unique—especially when I am salt and light to others. Amen.
13 –The World’s Strongest Person
Matthew 5:17–20 — (17) Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. (18) For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished. (19) Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. (20) For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.
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