An Alternative to the Swindlers--April 19, 2024

An Alternative to the Swindlers--April 19, 2024

[Jesus said:] "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly." [John 10:10]

I don't often find deep spirituality from 80s-era synth-pop, but when I hear these words of Jesus, I hear the Eurythmics' earworm, "Sweet Dreams."  And though she's not professionally a theologian, there's something profound about her line, "Everybody's looking for something--some of them want to use you... some of them want to abuse you..."  It's not a particularly cheery or optimistic take on the world, but it's honest about just how many schemers, swindlers, and scoundrels are out there, telling us they have our best interests at heart, but who are secretly salivating over us and trying to devour us.  And it's worth remembering how many alluring and pleasant-sounding voices out there really siren songs baiting us to a watery death along the rocks.  And beyond that, it's worth remembering that Jesus is different.

There is an old aphorism that says, "If you like a flower, you pluck it; if you love a flower, you let it grow." The difference is critical: if you want to possess the beauty of something for yourself, to control and keep it as your own, you will seize it for your own gratification and your own self-interest.  But that's not love. If you truly love something, you seek ITS welfare, and you let it become more fully what it is meant to be.  It's not about possession, control, or treating it as a commodity for your consumption, but rather about allowing the beloved to flourish.  That's the difference between the schemers and scoundrels out there (or the "thief," in Jesus' analogy) and Jesus himself, the good shepherd, who strives for the sheep to thrive and live fully.  

There are plenty of folks out there who see something good, worthy, or beautiful out in the world and say, "I want it for myself, and I'll do whatever I have to do in order to make it mine!" (sometimes with a "Moowaahahaha" of maniacal laughter as well, like villains in the cartoons).  What makes Jesus different is that instead, he looks at us, even when we have been dismissed by the world as unworthy and unlovable, and says, "I want you to live in abundance, and I will do whatever it takes in order for you to have fullness of life!"  He isn't licking his lips looking to devour us like a wolf or plotting to steal us like a thief. He isn't looking to use or abuse us, even though Annie Lennox is right that there are plenty of those self-serving schemers out there. No, Jesus is looking for how we can be more fully alive--to share his own risen life.

Of course, in the real world, it's often harder to recognize who is playing the role of "thief" (or wolf). Demagogues do it when they try to get us riled up about whatever culture-war issue of the day they are pitching, so that they can sell themselves as "the only ones who can fix it."  Scheming salesmen do it when they peddle products we don't need because they want our money, all too often draping their wares in flag-colored appeals to patriotism or cross-stamped appeals to our piety, or picket-fence-and-apple-pie appeals to "the good life."  The managers of algorithms on social media do it when they deliberately pitch us ads and messages that will provoke a response from us, get more clicks on their posts or eyeballs to view their content, or reinforce our preferred biases in the world.  We're surrounded, like Annie Lennox sings, because "everybody's looking for something." Everyone's got an angle; everyone is after something--and it's naive to pretend otherwise.

But over against all of those schemers and swindlers is Jesus, who really does simply want us to have life in its fullness.  He isn't using us as a means toward some other end. Jesus doesn't need our money for his personal expenses or our votes to get his agenda accomplished.  He isn't a demagogue selling himself as the solution to our problems--he is a shepherd who simply gives himself away and places himself between the danger and us.  Jesus really does want us to have life to the fullest--all of us, and not at the expense of anybody else.  That's what makes him different--that's what makes him worth entrusting our lives with.

I don't know about you, but I'm tired of all the other would-be saviors out there who are really just crooks trying to take advantage of us (and to get us to say "thank you" to them for doing it!). And I'm tired of the sales pitches that say, "It's a terrible world out there, and getting worse, and only I can fix it--so give me your money... or your vote... or your allegiance... or your heart..." They all smell of sulfur along with the snake-oil.  What Jesus offers us comes as a gift, and it is the gift we really most need.  Jesus gives us life, to the fullest, in abundance.

Listen for his voice, above all the pretenders, on this day.

Lord Jesus, train our ears to hear your voices above all the schemers, swindlers, and scoundrels today.