WWJD????

Proper 19-A

September 14, 2008

Exodus 14:19-31; Ps. 114; Romans 14:1-12; Matthew 18:21-35

Do you remember the little slogan, “WWJD” or “What Would Jesus Do?” woven into friendship bracelets or embroidered on backpacks? Some people resonate with it, of course; perhaps they are VERY sure what Jesus would do in any situation and equally sure that they would do it, too. Others kind of cringe, recoiling from what they think smacks of fundamentalism and a simplistic reading of the Gospel.

Actually, I think it is a very good question, a proper and even an easy question to ask. It is, however, not such an easy question to answer, or to hear the answer Jesus might make.

Peter’s question to Jesus is a version of “WWJD.” Just how far should my forgiveness go when someone has really been bad to me? What would you do, Jesus?

As is the case with many of the parables in Matthew, Jesus tells a story to illustrate his position. The story comes from one world – the everyday world of economics, of right and wrong, of do’s and don’ts – but the meaning of the story lies in quite a different world, the world of unlimited, abundant, overflowing, embarrassing, foolish mercy and grace. The master is willing to forgive every last cent of debt owed him by the slave, but the slave does not learn this lesson well. This time, the master’s mercy turns to wrath. If Jesus is the master, we can then understand what Jesus would do when asked to forgive: he would forgive abundantly. It seems pretty clear that the one forgiven should also do as Jesus did: forgive the debts owed him. What does Jesus do then? I’m afraid it’s not a pretty picture.

Forgiveness is possible, easy, even, on the micro level. That’s what Peter was referring to, the church: how do we live in community with our sisters and brothers? Here, the ability to forgive is essential. But what about on the macro level? Do we dare take what we have learned “at home” and apply it to the “real world?”

Take a very current example: the foreclosure crisis. Lots of people got in over their heads in loans that they, in the long run, could not afford. Some people would say, these poor souls reached out for more than should have, they took out loans from shaky creditors, they bought more of a house than they should have, it’s too bad, but they will have to take the consequences. Others say, those mortgage holders were the victims of predatory lenders, who took advantage of the eagerness to own their own home, their unfamiliarity with how mortgage financing worked. No one should be thrown out of their home; the government should step in and help them keep their houses. What would Jesus do? If he were a banker? Or the Secretary of the Treasury? Forgive the debt? Force the one who made the mistake to pay?

Last week we talked about how Jesus the rabbi applied the concept of “binding” or “loosing” a commandment. We talked about how Jesus never advocated breaking a commandment – some, such as love of God and love of neighbor, would actually be strengthened – but the interpretation of others would be loosened. Forgiveness is more important than the amount of debt owed. The sabbath is made for man, not man for the sabbath. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

What would Jesus do? It’s a very good question. The answers, however, I think come from the commandments that emphasize relationships over hard and fast rules. The answers are best formulated in a community, in the push and pull of friendships and commitments, where what we think is the “right” answer is challenged by someone else’s opposite version of the “right” answer. What would Jesus do about the foreclosure crisis? What would Jesus do about health care? What would Jesus do about immigration reform? I might think I have the answer, but I just might learn more about what Jesus would do from the answer you have, or from the opinion you have formed from reading the gospel, or from the facts you bring to the table from your experience or point of view.

That’s life in community. We don’t check out brains at the doors of this church, because we realize the gospel presents us with some real challenges for our lives. In order to rise to those challenges, we have to be a community where all of us can ask hard questions and hear some answers, in the context of our conversations, our relationships, our listening to not only what Jesus would do but what Jesus would have us do.