The Costs of Living: Death of a Salesman
It’s not uncommon these days to hear complaints about how expensive life is. In the midst of rising costs of inflation and never-ending budget cuts, we want to take some time to consider how the Bible approaches the costs of living. Looking through the lens of Jesus’ own ministry over these next few weeks, we hope to learn practical lessons for how to approach the challenges of vocation and discipleship in a costly world.
Scripture: Luke 5:17-26
As the crowds gathered around Jesus to listen to him teach, it’s hard not to wonder at what may have been going through his head. Was he excited to see the momentum their ministry was getting? Did he wonder about the logistics of accommodating such a large number of people? Perhaps he was even nervous about having enough volunteers to make sure things went smoothly. After all, this is the kind of momentum he had hoped for isn’t it? It may surprise us to discover that Luke frames this story quite differently. Rather than being a boon for his ministry, the “crowd” in this story is framed as a negative obstacle that the main characters must get around in order to reach their goal. In this way, Luke challenges the reader to rethink their priorities as they come to Jesus. Whereas the crowd is gathered around Jesus purely for his teaching, Jesus takes this expectation a step further and gives them more than they bargained for. We see this unfold as a paralytic man has his friends go above and beyond for his needs by piercing a hole through the roof of the house in order to get past the crowd and into the home where Jesus was teaching. Once before him, both the paralytic and the crowd are equally astounded and fearful to discover that this Jesus character is no mere teacher but has the audacity to claim he can forgive sins. “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” they rightfully ask. Through this interaction, Jesus is pointing the crowd to a truth that alluded them when they walked into that home expecting a salesman with the latest product. Jesus has the power to not just heal our situations (i.e. the ability to walk) but our souls as well. But the sad truth is that’s not what most of us come to church for. We want what is easy. We want Jesus to heal our finances. Our jobs. Maybe even our families. But the question Jesus eventually poses to the crowd is “Which is easier? To say ‘your sins are forgiven you’, or to say “Rise and walk’?” The irony in this question is that Jesus eventually does the “easy” thing to reveal the more difficult thing which is that the forgiveness of sins will require him to do the most difficult thing of all and pay the price for our sins. In this way, Jesus expresses his true desire for both the paralytic man, the crowd, and for us as well. He wants to give us more than we bargained for. He wants to bring wholeness to our worlds. The only problem is if we’re coming to him with a product in mind or with our whole selves. Because the truth is that we all are the paralytic man in need of someone else to do what isn’t able to do on his own. Someone willing to do the difficult thing of making a way past the religious crowd, piercing a hole through the roof, and ushering us before the Healer and forgiver of our sins. Jesus did that for you and me and he did it not to sell us something but to reveal who he is. He is not easily excitable by crowds or seating capacity. Nor is he impressed by your religiosity or dedication. In the end, Jesus recognizes what counts in these individuals. He recognizes their faith and their helplessness. Individually, these two things don’t amount to much (especially in the world’s economy) but together, these are the two ingredients that Jesus honors by forgiving this man’s sins. In this way, life itself can be a little bit more comforting knowing that’s all Jesus required.
Study Questions:
How does Luke frame the "crowd" in the story, and what challenge does this present to the reader's priorities when coming to church?
How does the story illustrate the idea that Jesus wants to give us more than we bargained for? What does this tell us about his nature and intentions?
Discuss the significance of faith and helplessness in the story. Why do these two ingredients matter to Jesus when forgiving the man's sins?
Why do you think the crowd was surprised by Jesus' claim to forgive sins? What does this reveal about their expectations of him?
When we look at our own lives what ingredients do we see? Is it a life crowded by what’s easy or is it one marked by what Jesus did?
