On who or what do we focus?
LENT: THE LAST CAMPAIGN
What would you do if you had only six months to live? Many of us would invest all our energy and money in finding a cure. Some would go on a pleasure spree, enjoying what they can before the end. Others would withdraw themselves, and sink into depression and resentment. A few may devote their last months to charity and do as much good as possible.
Six months before his crucifixion, Jesus embarked on his last campaign. Most of this tour is recorded in Luke 10 to 18, and John 10 and 11.
After Jesus had forgiven an adulteress and healed a man born blind (John 8 and 9), he sent 70 followers ahead to prepare people for his coming visit. The main assignment of this group was to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God.
They returned with joy about their successes — even the demons fled on their command. Only months from a horrible death, which he foreknew in detail, Jesus broke out in joy, praising God that Satan would be overcome, and that God was revealing his kingdom to ordinary people.
A lawyer, knowing that the greatest commandments were love for God and neighbour, asked Jesus who should be regarded as neighbour. Jesus responded with the renowned story of the Good Samaritan, who showed neighbourly love by going out of his way to help a wounded stranger.
Jesus visited his friends in Bethany, east of Jerusalem. Martha exerted herself with cooking and chores while Mary sat restfully at Jesus’ feet, listening to his teaching. Martha resented Mary’s passivity.
Martha showed her love by serving; Mary showed hers by sharing quality time. Both types of love were necessary, but Jesus indicated that we can only work well when we first have had quality time with him. This episode sheds light on the Great Commandment.
When asked to arbitrate in an inheritance dispute, Jesus responded with the parable of the rich fool. This man hoarded for himself instead of being generous to God and the needy. Our focus should be on spiritual riches, not material wealth.
Jesus repeated the Lord’s Prayer, showing that our focus must be on God’s name, kingdom and will. After that, we can bring our physical and spiritual needs to the throne of grace.
The parable of the faithful and unfaithful managers rests on focus, too. The unfaithful steward did not serve his master’s best interests, but his own appetites. He abused other servants, and indulged in eating and drinking.
The faithful steward cared for his master’s property and workers, giving them what they needed at the right time. When his master returned, and found him faithful, he was richly rewarded.
Jacob Van Zyl of Lethbridge is a retired counsellor and the author of several faith-based books.