Dear Christian friends,

I'm sure that you will agree with me when I say that it is not easy to be a Christian. Someone has said: "Fitting a square peg into a round hole is easier than living a life as a follower of Jesus Christ." Sinful humans do not easily accept the mind and values of God. Yet we all like to think of ourselves as being Christians and I hope that we all sincerely want to be Christians.

Today's text, which is the Gospel Lesson for this Sunday, forces us to rethink what it means to be a Christian. In it Jesus issues us

I. Unfortunately the world also daily challenges us to live life its selfish way.

A. One such challenge is this one: "Do yourself a favor; toot your own horn; be assertive; demand your rights; don't eat humble pie; etc." (vv. 7-11)

1. In our text Jesus names it for what it really is: "exalting ones self." (v. 11) At a dinner one Sabbath day with a company of Pharisees Jesus perceived that selfish value in his fellow quests. He "noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table." (v. 7)

2. The world challenges us to do the same because "everyone else is doing it." Even Jesus' twelve disciples knew how to play this game. James and John wanted the seats of honor next to Jesus, one on his right side and the other on the left when he would set up his rule. When the other disciples heard about their request they were jealous and angry with James and John. (Mark 10:35-45)

Summary: Yes indeed, the world challenges us daily, saying something like this: "If you try to live by the Golden Rule, sooner or later you will realize that many others are getting ahead of you. Do yourself a favor, don't eat humble pie; get what is yours!"

B. Another such challenge from the world is this one: "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours." (vv. 12-14)

1. In our text Jesus accused the host of playing life that way changing the Golden Rule into this self-serving principle: "Do good to others so they will do good to you in return." Jesus noticed that the host invited to his dinner only relatives, rich neighbors and friends, people who in turn were able to repay him in one way or another, sooner or later.

Illustration: Today we call these kind of persons "climbers." I'm sure that we all have had some experiences with climbers. We may have been one our self at one time. Climbers do you a favor, but sooner or later they will come around to collect. These people use people, they don't really love them or care about them.

2. Yes, indeed, the world daily, constantly challenges us Christians to see how sensible its way is. "Tit for tat" is the way the "real" world operates," we are told.

Transition: I'm afraid that we all must admit that we Christians have been influenced by the world's values.

C. It is only too easy for us to go along with the world accepting its challenge to be selfish. It is our nature.

1. Because of our sinful nature we are often proud and jealous of our positions, even of those we hold in the congregation, not to mention those at work. Some of the mean-spirited and unkind things that we do to each other and our failure to be submissive and cooperative with officers and leaders is ample proof of this. So often our feelings are hurt when we perceive that we are not properly recognized and appreciated.

2. Like fallen Adam, we are basically proud, self-centered, selfish, and self-serving people.

Illustration: Consider the way many people trim their Christmas card lists: As we go over last years list in preparation for this years list we ask: "Did they send us a card last year? If not - drop them." One begins to wonder what those cards and Christmas itself are all about! Or consider how obligated we feel to reciprocate dinner invitations and what we will serve when we do. Consider also who we invite to our dinners. How worldly we really are! How self-centered!

II. Jesus challenges us daily to live life his way, and frees us to do so.

A. His way would not make him a very good businessman by the world's standards. And by worldly standards you probably will not get rich living life his way.

1. He never showed any material success for his efforts. He himself confessed: "Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head."

2. The people he chose to fill "top positions" (the twelve) were laughable candidates by worldly standards, somewhat like Vice President, Dan Quayle.

3. Most people that Jesus' tried to help responded indifferently at best.

B. He teaches that true, rewarding, meaningful living comes by humbly giving ourselves in the service of others.

1. St. Paul wrote the classic statement on this point in Philippians 2:1-11. In substance Paul said that Jesus the Mighty Son of God because of our sinful self-centeredness "humbled Himself and became obedient unto death, even the death on the cross!"

2. Jesus gave himself into death for all people - a service none could possibly repay, a service most, he knew, would not appreciate and even disdain. To the world Jesus' conduct is ridiculous since he would get so little in return on his investment.

Summary: Do you see how poor, crippled, lame, and blind you are without Jesus? Have you humbly answered his invitation to receive all his undeserved, cross-won riches in faith?

Transition: If so, then you are ready for this great, not of this world challenge!

C. Jesus challenges those who believe in him and love him to live life his way everyday.

1. He challenges us to give him and the world our best. He pleads, "Stop being conformed to this world. By the Holy Spirit be ye transformed by the renewing of your minds. Think like me! Give like me, just as I gave for you!"

Illustration: You who serve as officers in the congregation term after term, in spite of the criticism from some members, and in spite of little or no recognition have already been doing what Jesus here challenges us all to do. Keep on doing it!

2. Jesus says, "Trust my Father to reward you in his own time and way." Jesus promises in our text: "Although they (the disadvantaged) cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous." (v. 14) While everything we have is given to us completely by God's grace (undeserved on our part) Jesus does speak of rewards. Whatever we do in faith for those who cannot repay us the heavenly Father does see. One day we will hear these beautiful words: "Well done, good and faithful servant: enter into the joy of your Lord." (Matthew 25:21)

Conclusion: Jesus lived a life of humble service and that is what he challenges us to do, also. On our own we cannot answer his call. However, he empowers us and enables us with the Spirit of his presence, his love, his forgiveness, his peace, and his joy through the Word and the Sacraments. With all of his spiritual resources, especially his dying love, we can answer his call and take up his great challenge every day.

Let us pray with Clara H. Scott:

Open my eyes, that I may see
glimpses of truth thou hast for me;
place in my hand the wonderful key
that shall unclasp and set me free.

Silently now I wait for thee,
ready my God, thy will to see.
Open my eyes, ears, and heart,
illumine me, Spirit divine!

Amen