How About Five?
Our reading from Genesis today directly follows last week's reading when the three men visit Abraham and Sarah and promise them that Sarah will have a child. Today’s lesson is an account of Abraham bargaining with God about the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. Bargaining with God is not unusual. You probably have done it. Probably everyone has at one time or another, though our story about Abraham is different. It is God who starts the conversation pondering the sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. While we are never really told what their sin was many have surmised that it was sexual in nature. I would suggest that a closer look at the Hebrew text indicates that their sin was much greater. That sin was the desire to be God. They wanted to decide what was right and what was wrong, who was one of them and who was not, and who could live and who should die. They wanted to shape the world around themselves in their own image so they could have whatever they desired. That is usually our reason why we try to bargain with God.
That is not Abraham’s reason in our text today. He is bargaining for the well-being of others. I suppose that should not be a surprise. We are all called to care for others. There are many passages in the Bible that say just that. What might be surprising to you is that our text seems to indicate that the faith of the righteous will also save the unrighteous. Paul understood this as well, using it to show that God allowed one person to save all people.
Unfortunately we live in a world that focuses upon the individual. We constantly hear that message on television, from our peers, and even from the government. In response to this incessant message we have become a selfish bunch of people. We can even hear this message from preachers. That all you need to do, if you want something, is pray and if you are righteous, God will give it to you. They even use our text from Luke to push this idea. Although that is not what this text is about. All the asking is tempered by a call to be concerned about others. We ask to be treated like we treat others – forgiven as we have forgiven. Even in the example, the man is asking for bread to feed his guests. We are called to ask, search, and knock. Ask that we can have those things that will help others to see Jesus, search for those who need God’s love, and knock so that the door will be opened for those in need.
With Jesus, who gave up all things, as your guide answer the call of God giving up selfish desires and share God’s love with all. Let your faith shine upon others so they will see Jesus and experience God’s love. The love that passes all understanding. Work with Jesus to make the world a better place for all.