Reflection - Know Him

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/062316.cfm

2 Kings 24:8-17
Matthew 7:21-29

There are times in the Gospels when Jesus is proactive and takes the initiative in explaining what is right and just for the spiritual lives of his followers. Although his teaching takes a variety of forms, almost all of it is focused on answering one single question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" In the synoptic Gospels that question is formally posed on two separate occasions. One is recorded by all three Gospel authors --- Matthew, Mark and Luke --- though each author gives it a slightly different setting.

"One came up to him, saying, "Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have
eternal life?" And he [Jesus] said to him, "If you would enter life, keep the
commandments." (Matthew 19:16-17)

The other is found only in Luke where the questing is asked by a lawyer, one who would have been particularly knowledgeable of the Law.

"'Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?'
He [Jesus] said to him, 'What is written in the law? What do you read there?'
And he answered, 'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your
neighbor as yourself.'" (Luke 10:25-27)

In this morning's reading Jesus is answering the same question, but in a different way. He takes a proactive approach and tells the parable of the two houses, one built on rock and one built on sand. The message is clear enough: "Be like a wise man who built his house on rock." Build your life on a solid foundation. "Listen to these words of mine and act on them."

This sounds like something about which I don't want to make a mistake. The image is clear enough. Some internet news sites seem to delight in houses sliding down hills in rainstorms or being undercut by overflowing turbulent creeks to the point of collapse. Jesus may well have used such images if video projection had been available in his day. But what exactly is this rock, this solid foundation? Jesus is fairly specific about what it's not. 

It's not about just saying 'Lord; Lord'
It's not about prophesying in Jesus name.
It's not about driving out demons. (Good! I didn't want to do that.)
It's not even about doing mighty deeds. (Darn! I would have tried that.)
If I sincerely want to get a handle on what this rock, this solid foundation really is I need to delve more deeply into the incidents cited above. 

When the rich young man puts that critical question about eternal life to Jesus, Jesus responds by reminding him of the Law: "Do not kill, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother." (Mark 10:17) But that's not the end of the story, for the young man replies: "All these I have observed; what do I still lack?" (Matthew 19:20)
Jesus' response is notable: "If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." (Matthew 19:21) The conversation has taken a new direction. It began with the question "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" But when the young man says he has observed these commands, Jesus invites him to take another step. If you would be perfect. . . Not, if you want to gain eternal life, but, if you would be perfect. Jesus invites this man to go beyond the minimum; he invites him to seek perfection. Earlier Jesus had put this to his followers directly. "You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)

Now I'm not going to address the issue of whether or not we can be perfect. I see that discussion as a distraction. What is not open to contention is that Jesus is inviting the young man to seek perfection. To do that he must put Jesus first, just as I must do the same.

But there is another element here which is critical to answering the question with which we began: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" It is found primarily in John's Gospel. At least fourteen times John's Gospel offers the same message: "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." (John 17:3) The commandments Moses received were a beginning, but they were only that. The lawyer's answer --- "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself.'" --- was a step forward; but it too had its origin in the Old Testament. And, while it was and is foundational, it is not the fullness of what God offers to his people. The offer extended to the rich young man was an invitation to greater things. But the teaching of John focuses on the immeasurable fullness of the divine plan. It is not merely to believe in the Son, the one the Father has sent. "This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent." So, finally our question has led us to an answer, the rock on which we are to build.

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Know the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom He has sent."

Know God!
Not know of God.
Not know about God.
Know God!

God has a lot of confidence in himself. He sincerely thinks that if you know Him you will love Him and if you love Him you will want to live with Him.