Just (,) For Jesus’ Sake: A Comma Considered

One Sunday morning recently I needed some grease for the machine, some fuel for the soul, some edification and inspiration. I turned to a favorite source: just about anything by Gerhard Forde, but this time one of my favorites. Forde’s Captivation of the Will. I found what I forgot was there: some sermons at the tail end. What a perfect find for a Sunday morning.

And, there, at the terminus of that tail was a turn on words that brought illumination. Forde ended his proclamation on Jerimiah 23:29 with “You are just for Jesus sake, says the Lord.” This little phrase can be read and heard in at least two if not three ways.

I read it firstly thus: “You are solely, only, singularly here for that particular purpose: on behalf of who and what Jesus is and does (Jesus life and mission).” That “just” stuck in that sentence struck me as odd and an out of context statement and way to finish off, let alone make any declaration, at the end of this or any sermon. What is the preacher (Forde) saying in conclusion….that I am laser intentioned to do life in support of and in identification with this 1st century Palestinian Jesus’ agenda?  While this may in fact be true, I was momentarily fluxed because it didn’t seem to fit this sermon’s conclusion. And then, as a turn on grammar and sentence structure can do that almost literally turns a brain light on, I saw the preacher’s intention: “I am “just” as in “reconciled,” “made right with,” “given equilibrium and equanimity with the cosmos and my destiny,” given “peace with God.” And all of this because of Jesus. Of course! A simple and straightforward enough word, however debilitating it is to both my despair and pride (which was the preacher’s, along with Jerimiah’s purpose, to be sure).

But we see readily, that both readings not only work, but in fact complement each other. And more than that, they are incomplete without each other. Watch what a comma can do.

“You are just for Jesus’ sake,” as in that first hearing: solely dedicated to serve.

“You are just, for Jesus sake,” as in the second hearing: reconciled and made whole.

Can one be only dedicated to serving Jesus’ vision and mission? Yes, but watch out! You will be a torch, but then flame out to coldness and dark oblivion.

Can one be only embraced by the arms of God? Yes, but watch out! You will be as a candle lit a noon, a snowflake in the sea, ephemeral and no earthly good.

“You are just for Jesus sake.” Ok! Onward!

“You are just, for Jesus sake.” At peace for all eternity!

Best as Both.

I’m almost done……but as you were paying attention, I said there were “possibly” three ways to read that one statement. So here’s the third: the incredulity that could possibly be heard in the preacher’s voice. Rather than “for Jesus’ sake” meaning “on behalf of Jesus” or “because of Jesus” it could be read with how we hear so often those words used profanely by folks in conversation. “For Jesus’ sake” as in “my goodness, don’t you see!? Don’t you get it?”

And that might be the best way for me to finish here.

“You are just!”: you are singularly living by and for justice for all!

“You are just!”: you are reconciled with God!

For Jesus’ sake! Don’t you see?

Both!

Oh, please, see!

Amen.