Have you ever watched an episode of the game show "Deal or No Deal?"
Howie Mandel decked out in his sharp black blazer and twenty six models with sparkling dresses carrying briefcases of heavenly wonder. While most models remain nameless to the casual viewer, Meghan Markle, a Deal or No Deal model, is making her way onto life's grandest stage of British royalty.
A lucky contestant chooses the one briefcase they're convinced holds the $1 million card inside. And one by one they begin to eliminate every other briefcase of what they believe to be a lesser prize.
Then the banker calls. Making an offer unquestionably less than the desirable $1 million pot but an enticing offer that is clearly known. No need to wonder. Or guess. Or question. The number is in plain view. It's a gamble. Take it or leave it. "Deal or No Deal!"
It reminds me of a story about a man referred to as the rich young ruler. He approaches Jesus one day and says, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Surely Jesus knows the man's intent and is even somewhat aware of his deeds as He begins to list off many of what we know to be the 10 Commandments. The guy's eyes must have lit up to hear these words ringing in his ears as he says, "I have kept all of these since I was young."
And the text says, "Jesus looked at him, loving him..."
It seems reasonable that you or I would be thinking, "I'm crushing it! I'm going to heaven! Jesus is picking me to be on His team!"
What will be Jesus's next words? Is He going to affirm the young man for his deeds or yank the carpet out from under his feet? Is he about to place the proverbial winner's crown on his head or send him to the back of the line to try again?
"One thing you lack; go, sell all your possessions and give to the poor. Then come follow Me."
Wait. You mean to tell me that this guy has lived a near perfect life according to the letter of the law and now he needs to forfeit it all to inherit this new way of life from Jesus?
The text says, "he went away sorrowful for he had much wealth."
This culture embraced the notion that riches and good fortune was a sign of God's blessing, and poverty and sickness was evidence of God's curse. He's lived a life of moral superiority and accumulated an extraordinary amount of material possessions to only have it stripped away for some ethereal wonderment.
Forced to respond to the call of the banker, He said by his withdrawal from the conversation, "No deal!"
But isn't this similar to our circumstances? We create or assume some moral code by which we believe our good deeds need to outweigh our bad deeds to supplant ourselves in the favorable position of being in the presence of God. Or we believe that our hard work and rightful wages can somehow be used to pay off the divine heavenly guard at the gate of heaven at our life's end.
Moral achievement and material accumulation can never replace the requirement of total surrender. We keep holding on to that one briefcase believing that it holds the key to our happiness. To the life we've always dreamed of having. As long as we have the box we feel we have control. There are other briefcases to be opened and maybe we'll make a trade. But what do we do when the banker calls?
God is not making compromises to His high and lofty standard or establishing a unique set of rules just for you. He created one standard by which we all must abide; only through Jesus can we inherit this life. The down payment was submitted. The invitation was extended. "Come follow Me!"
Loosening our grip on the little silver briefcase of all that we've accomplished and gathered up for ourselves is the necessary act of surrender to truly be changed and receive the sure offer of salvation extended through the personal invitation of Jesus.
The banker is calling, "Deal or No Deal!"
