As you know, last we began a message series entitled, “Jesus TV.” JTV is an imaginary cable network of programs which mimic current and former hit shows by using their names to explain biblical truth. This week’s show is, “Let’s Make A Deal!” How many of your remember the show? The show was basically about contestants choosing between current winnings for potential larger prizes – sometimes it worked out and sometimes it didn’t. I’d like to recreate a little of the show right here in the sanctuary today by asking for a couple of students to play for big, big prizes. I need two volunteers. To get us started, you have to win your first prize so the person who answer the following questions first and the fastest get’s to move on to the let’s make a deal round. So shout out your answers after the questions:
How many Disciples were there? Who was Abraham and Sarah’s first son? Tiebreaker: What was Jesus’ preferred name for himself? (Prizes awarded to both with a bigger gift going to the loser). Since you won, I’m going to give you a choice. You can keep the gift I gave you or you can trade for the big box. What do you want to do? If you’re unsure you can ask some friends in the church.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save their life[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
The playing of “Let’s Make A Deal” is a good metaphor for today’s scripture. Christ is clearly telling his disciples what they could expect behind the door they could not see and not to be surprised by it. He didn’t sugar coat it. The words were so disturbing that Peter believed he needed to set Jesus straight. But why did Peter feel the need to correct Jesus? I think it was because Peter and the other disciples’ still believed Jesus was the Messiah who would liberate them from the oppressive Roman rule. With this being the prevailing understanding, Peter was sure Jesus’ teaching of His death could cripple the movement. At such, He spoke up and Jesus’ responded with his own rebuke, of not just Peter, but the whole group (Verse 33 – “turning and seeing his disciples). Jesus would repeat this message of His death and rising two more times to help the disciples understand that death is not losing but winning if you know Him.
It reminds me of a time I went to watch my wife, participate in a triathlon. She trained so hard and was in such great shape. I was sure she could finish in the top 10 spots. She knew better and tried to tell me but I didn’t listen. It was only after I watched the other swimmers, bikers and runners that I understood. I knew nothing about woman’s athletics. It came even clearer after she finished. We were walking back to the car near the race path and a lovely older lady, a grandmother in her early seventies came around the bend on her bike with a basket. People began to cheer. In that moment, I realized it wasn’t about winning the race as the world defines winning. It was about the process and finishing.
Jesus remained clear about the process and what His benchmarks were for success. Just listen to these words again from Mark 8:34-35, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and the gospel will save it.” Just like Monty Hall, Jesus asks the rhetorical question in verse 37, “What will man give in exchange for his soul?”
Can you see the audience? For a second they are dumbfounded and in that instant, they are brought to the biggest “let’s make a deal” moment possible? And so are we? What would you exchange for your soul?
Good church people say, “Nothing! I know better Pastor. I’ve been in the church for 100 years and the devil’s not going to trick me.” Could everybody say, “Nothing”? Why is it I am skeptical?
Let me ask you some questions:
If Jesus is our King, how do you serve Him? Do you give the king his due?
If Jesus is your Savior, how do you repay him? How have you thanked him?
If Jesus is your Messiah, when have you hit your knees and bow to him?
If Jesus is the Son of Man, when do you honor him?
If Jesus is you’re all in all, do your neighbor’s know it?
If Jesus is your teacher, have you read His book? It’s a best seller you know.
If Jesus is your leader, how are you following him? Do you even know where he is going?
If Jesus is your friend, have you been a friend in return? Does Jesus even know you more than an acquaintance who occasionally shows up on Sunday mornings?
The reality is we all fall short, but why? Why don’t we do what we know we should? I believe it’s because we think we have plenty of time to get it right.
After nine seasons, the popular sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond broadcast its final episode in May of 2005. The star of the show, Ray Romano, went from life as a struggling stand-up comedian to one of the highest-paid actors on television. At the conclusion of the last day’s filming, Romano spoke to the studio audience, reflecting on his past and his future. He read from a note his brothers had stuck in his luggage the day he moved from New York to Hollywood, nine years earlier. “My older brother Richard wrote, ‘What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world, and loses his soul?’” said a tearful Romano. “Now I’m going to work on my soul.” Ray Romano, "Biography," A&E (5-13-05)
Ray’s response is disturbing to me because through his answer we know he knew of God and a greater purpose but he chose to keep them separate. I know Ray isn’t alone. Many, who go to work every day, never reveal they are a Christ follower. When Jesus answers his rhetorical question in verse 38, he does it in a clarifying but stern way. He says, “if anyone is ashamed…” The word ashamed here carries huge significance. It means more than embarrassment. It means to lack repentance, submission and even rejection. So when Jesus says “if anyone is ashamed of me and my words,” he is telling us that those who reject him and will not repent nor submit to his teachings are sealing their own faith. Ray Romano’s strategy may have worked for him, I don’t know. The truth is I cannot judge another man’s soul. Only God can! But I can stand like a light on the corner telling anyone who would listen, if you live your life like there is no God. You have made a choice and you will never know God. However, if you know God, you have made the best deal in knowing eternal life.
www.communitycenter.life/rev-robert-butler-info
