Saturday, October 20, 2018

Pentecost 22 - Proper 24



Pentecost 22 – Proper 24
October 21, 2018
Mark 10:23-31
Self reliance might be the American way but not so with Jesus

By the voluntary poverty of Christ, we enter into the kingdom of God.

Almighty God, all that we possess is from Your loving hand. Give us grace that we may honor You with all we own, always remembering the account we must one day give to Jesus Christ, our Lord.[1]

Our gospel lesson is a continuation of last week’s conversation. The rich young man went away sorrowful. Jesus takes the opportunity to educate His disciples. He schools them. Concerning the temptation. Which is to trust in riches. And every stumbling block. He will strip away.

Next Sunday, we will sing with vigor and gusto the words of that great Reformation hymn, ‘And take they our life, goods, fame, child, and wife. Let these all be gone. Our victory has been won.’[2] 
Really?  

Jesus said it twice in a span of three verses: “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth—for those who are rich - like us! Americans —To enter the kingdom of God.” Unless you can find a very big needle, or a tiny camel, it’s going to be an awfully tough road ahead for you.

C.S. Lewis reminds us, the camel has to die! The biggest animal - passing through the smallest hole. “All things, (e.g. a camel’s journey through a needle’s eye) are possible, it’s true. But picture how the camel feels, squeezed out. In one long, bloody, thread, from tail to snout.”[3]

For these disciples, the common wisdom of the day was that if you were rich, you were righteous. And if you were poor. It was your sin that caused it. (Sound familiar?)

Yet Jesus told the wealthy man that to enter the Kingdom he needed to sell what he had. Jesus then commented to the disciples that being rich actually made it harder to enter the Kingdom. This completely confused the disciples. Who thought material blessings were evidence of God’s blessings.

The apostles got their attitudes from a society in which wealth was seen as an indication of God’s favor. Those who were blessed significantly and financially were viewed as having done something right. They found favor in God’s eye. God doled out the good life to some. And, as for others. They reasoned. He withheld His blessings. Health and wealth meant you were living right. Illness or disability or poverty indicated there was some sort of black mark on your record with God. That if they just trust God enough; if they just have enough faith. And prayed right. Their financial problems would be a thing of the past. If they would just dig a little deeper. And give more. Their disability or their sickness would simply go away.

The amazement of the disciples at Jesus' words reflects their cultural background. They placed a great emphasis on the privileged position of the rich. To be wealthy was believed to be sure and certain evidence of having the blessing of God. If you prosper God must be smiling down up on you was their thinking. But with His penetrating spiritual insight, Jesus saw how wealth could hinder someone from putting their trust and dependence in God.

How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were shocked! ἐξεπλήσσοντο “Panicked” “Astounded” “Amazed” “Who then can be saved?”

For the rich to enter the kingdom of God - Simply because of their wealth - Is indeed impossible. Jesus’ word was not lost on the disciples. “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! (Vs.25) It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”[4] And their question, "Who then can be saved?" shows that they completely understood.

These words from Jesus point to a tension that many of us feel. We are commanded to love the Lord our God, “with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength.” [St. Mark 12:30] Yet it takes a lot to gain wealth. And, it can take even more to maintain that wealth. To what degree does our focus on wealth take our focus away from God? The disciples declare that this is hard to do — Perhaps, even impossible. Jesus doesn’t disagree with them. He leaves them to struggle with this. Yet He offers them a word of hope: “With God all things are possible.” As we struggle with conflicting loyalties in our lives, may this struggle lead us closer to faithfulness. And may the love of God lead us closer to peace.

It is impossible. Not only for the wealthy. But for anyone to earn His salvation by any means. Even good works. “Who can be saved?” they ask. Who indeed? No one can. If you rely on yourself. It is only by God’s grace that anyone can be saved. Yet all things are possible with God.

Jesus, the greatest teacher who has ever lived points us to the solution. His answer makes clear that “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible.”(V.27)

Peter does not boast of his sacrifices but continues to panic about the difficulty of securing eternal life. What hope is there for him? In response, Jesus explains that He does not call people to hardship, but into a new community with its own benefits. He reassures Peter that poverty is not the hallmark of God's kingdom. Rather a trust and reliance upon Him. Come what may.

Notice, Jesus reminds us that persecutions accompany such a life. As if it were not difficult enough on its own, a life of authentic discipleship also runs contrary to the world's values and may arouse the world's ire.

All this comes with many persecutions. μετὰ διωγμῶν Persecutions, or the contempt of the world, and bodily sufferings on account of their allegiance to Christ, they "must" meet. Jesus did not conceal this. Rather He consoled them. He comforts them. Jesus wants His disciples to understand and expect suffering. Godliness brings suffering. Expect it!

That which you may have to give up is physical. But, that which you receive is spiritual. - And, many times greater!

In the centuries since Christ's death, many dedicated disciples have found fulfillment in these words in their own lives. They have had to "leave" their people and possessions in order to follow Christ. But, for every fleshly relationship lost - They gained hundreds of sisters and brothers in Christ. For every alienated parent – There are hundreds in God's family to care for them.  For every possession lost – There are spiritual blessings, many times greater.

Christ’s righteousness can only save you. Yet, you may be left to suffering that you didn’t deserve. Your prayers will be answered. But not in ways you might expect. God may bless you materially. But what if your material blessings actually stand between you and Christ? Are you willing to part with anything which stands in His way?

What you are called to do is trust. Trust the nature of Christ. Trust the love of Christ. Trust the justice of Christ. Trust the mercy of Christ. This God whom we worship is worthy of our trust, even when all the rules we thought we knew seem to fail before our eyes.

And this trust — “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” is followed by “Into your hands I commend my spirit.” As He died. Jesus trusted. And so must you.

Look around you. And see the sisters and brothers, the mothers and fathers that God in Christ has given you. A family. A hundredfold. They are relationships not of Law. But of Gospel—Relationships in the shared good news that Jesus has brought you into the kingdom. Where even the poorest are made rich.  He who was the richest made Himself poor. For your sake.

With membership in this family come persecutions, It’s true. But these persecutions. Like all worldly suffering. And all the worldly things that we set aside. Or re-dedicate to the glory of God. Are passing away. Into the age which is to come.

Does all this seem impossible? Yes! Impossible it is! For you. Yet with God. All things are possible.

Words –1,490
Passive Sentences – 4%
Readability – 77.2%
Reading Level – 4.8



[1] Prayer for the proper use of wealth,    Lutheran Service Book © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[2] A Mighty Fortress is our God, stanza 4, Lutheran Service Book ©2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[3] From his work “Parables”
[4] A ninth-century interpreter made up the idea of a low gate into Jerusalem called "the eye of the needle," through which camels could pass only if they stooped. Presumably, then, Jesus criticizes only the proud rich, or only the rich who are not extremely determined to enter the kingdom. Unfortunately, no such gate ever existed.

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