The Offensive Exclusivity of Jesus

The beauty of the gospel is the radical inclusivity of its message: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). Everyone is invited. No one is excluded.

Yet, the Jesus who beckons us to come to Him to find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:28-30) is the same Jesus who says there is no salvation outside of Him. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). Jesus’ message is crystal clear. It compels us to deny ourselves and follow Him whatever the cost (Matthew 16:24). His is the only way. And it’s narrow.

It’s a radically exclusive invitation. Repent or perish! In a world where we are used to making our own choices and where ‘tolerance’ means ‘variety,’ it’s hardly surprising Jesus’ message of exclusivity is considered offensive. After all, who wants to hear that they are sinners? Who wants to change the foundation and course of their lives after decades of doing it their own way? And who wants to admit that their good works will never be enough?

We see the exclusivity of the Gospel played out in the story of the rich young ruler who asks Jesus: “what good thing must I do to get eternal life” (Matthew 19:16-30). Jesus says, “keep the commandments” (verse 17) “All these I have kept,” he replies, probably breathing a sigh of relief as he does so. But he has fallen into a “quicksand of self.” Because, immediately afterwards, Jesus tells him “…go, sell your possessions and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (verse 21). And, with that, Jesus exposes the man’s heart. We learn the man has huge wealth and is instantly discouraged because he has made an idol of his possessions and decides Jesus is asking too much of him.

As His response to the rich young ruler demonstrates, Jesus calls us to radical discipleship, to lay down those things that possess us, to trade our personal agenda for His kingdom agenda, a kingdom that is like “treasure hidden in a field” for which a man would, indeed, sell everything to buy the field (Matthew 13:44).

If we accept Jesus’ invitation, will we face hardships? Will we mess up? Jesus doesn’t promise us we won’t (John 16.33). But in calling us to follow Him and Him alone, Jesus draws us from this life into so much more than we could ever imagine - an intimate, dependent relationship, and the promise of the most satisfying, abundant life possible, both now and in eternity.

If we’re offended by the shocking nature of Jesus’ exclusive invitation, we’re free to walk away, just as the rich young ruler did. As he discovered, the heart of the matter is, ultimately, a matter of the heart. Because, as Jesus says “…where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21).

What’s your treasure? Where’s your heart?