Marie Antoinette, during her hedonistic and abbreviated life, said, "Nothing tastes." A telling description of an existence packed with sensual delights gone to ashes. As the seasons pass us, many find less and less that remains enjoyable in life, and the pursuit of happiness becomes an echo of Ecclesiastes, "Vanity of vanities ... all is vanity."
"The summer is ended and we are not saved" (Jeremiah 8:20). It seems that many of our aspirations, hopes and dreams are dropping like leaves upon faded grass ... and we are not saved. We are not saved from emptiness, the shallow endless chatter about us; the meaningless noise of our culture; the burden of expectations.
The national holidays that mark our season are empty also and merely bookends to our summer experience. Often what has promised contentment has, as the cotton candy at the fair, produced a full mouth but an empty stomach.
This is a major reason for the late jettisoning of marriage partners, the increase in substance abuse and the air of quiet desperation among so many. Even so-called Christians seem as jaded and indifferent to life as their secular counterparts. We have sought refuge in all kinds of sensual pursuits and yet we fail to deaden the pain, we fail in our amusements. Sadly, even our worship is known for empty songs, meaningless messages and the indifference and intransigence of attendees. Nothing tastes.
Perhaps worship crafted to please the palate of seekers is missing the mark. Could it be that the focus on appealing to felt needs (demands?) of fallen humanity is mistaken? Who discerns the true nature of man's need? Isn't my focus upon my needs often wrongheaded and idolatrous? The answers to these questions are only in the Bible.
My mind is drawn to the Savior standing amidst the suffering in John, Chapter 5, who, after divine assessment, interviews a pain-wracked individual. He then heals him alone and this with an eye to addressing the man's real need (Verse 14). In this incident, as in all others, he is creating the atmosphere whereby he himself might be glorified. Christ was apparently not interested in issuing mere creature comforts or placebos.
What is the real need of humanity? Christ confounds us with his reactions to the appeals of apparently sincere seekers. The Scripture contains a profound example of the Lord's dealing with a man who has become known as the "Rich Young Ruler" (Matthew 19, Mark 10 and Luke 18). Our conclusion is that he was earnest, zealous, law-abiding, wealthy, healthy, educated, important, loved, religious and apparently humble. He falls at the Master's feet and asks what for many of us is the ultimate question: "Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"
Jesus' answer is off-putting. "One thing you still lack; sell all you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; come and follow Me."
This response is nowhere found in the Scripture as the prescription for salvation. How is it that one so refreshingly earnest in the pursuit of things spiritual, a real seeker, could draw this response? Why did Jesus hold him to such an extreme standard?
This has always been God's way with us. He is not impressed with our sincerity, possessions, intellect, religiosity or even our sacrificial charity (1 Corinthians 13:3). The allegiance or worship God desires will not be discovered by our limited, earth-bound wisdom since the word exposes us as self-deceived (Jeremiah 17:9). The Scriptures make plain that we do not really seek him after all (Romans 3:11). So what are we seeking? Are you seeking, as perhaps this young man was, affirmation or praise? Isaiah tells us that we are wanderers and fugitives from the goodness of God (53:6). We are found to be secret lawbreakers even as the young man in the gospels is finally uncovered. He did not keep the whole law as he claimed but violated the 10th commandment: Thou shalt not covet. Christ exposed this, the thing that prevented his salvation: an unconscious yet destructive independence to God.
How about you? Do you pretend to be a seeker of God without turning from the things that he hates? Self-seeking or self-satisfaction are both incompatible with the Savior and lead only to a sense of futility, despair and judgment. And still ... and still the Lord calls to us and says, "And you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart" (Jeremiah 29:13). Jesus still saves.
The Rev. Bruce McCardel is pastor of the Susquehanna Valley Baptist Church in Oneonta.
Print this story
E-mail this story
