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Soul fireMonday, December 13, 2010
Matthew 21:24 I think about my own response to Jesus when he says, "David, I shall ask you one question." What question might that be? To Peter he asked, "Simon, do you love me?" To his mother he asked, "Why are you looking for me? Don't you know I should be in my Father's house?" He asked his followers, "Why do you worry about clothes?" But the pin-me-to-the-wall question is written in Matthew 16: "What good, David, is it for you to gain the whole world, yet forfeit your soul? What will you trade for your soul?" I think, by soul, he means my integrity and my ability to act out of love rather than self-protection. He means humbling myself and refusing the temptation of hubris. Jesus insists on being the questioner, not the questioned. He is the leader, not the follower. He is God. I am not. He means, by soul, my willingness to follow him and not play God. What would I trade for this? Less now than earlier in my life, I think. But I still crave security and, conversely, adventure. I want other people to like me. I listen to my appetites for longer than I might. I protect myself in all kinds of ways, most of which I don't deny but also don't examine. I am doing some trading there. Day trading. Night trading. Jesus asks the good question to help me change my mind. Thank you, Jesus. You made me, Lord, and you know me. You gave me a soul, and you know my worth better than I do. Let me see what you see. |
The Pharisees asked Jesus a tantalizing question. Jesus knew their motivation was the farthest thing from love; instead they sought to protect their point of view and position by undermining his. So he employed the rich rabbinical tradition of counterquestion.