Thursday, March 12, 2015

The love of money is the root of evil





3.12.2015 Thursday of Lent 3                       Mark 10:13-31 The love of money is the root of evil

The power of wealth can keep one from entering God’s kingdom and thereby inheriting eternal life. (Vs.25) On the other hand, if wealth is secondary to Jesus, a rich man can enter the kingdom. (Vs.27) The occasion for this teaching is a man (a rich young ruler) who asks Jesus how He can receive eternal life, life not necessarily in its quantitative but in its qualitative dimension. His kneeling shows that he really wants more than physical life; he comes begging. Does he see Jesus as the Son of God because he calls Jesus “good”? Jesus points out to him that only God is good. Though he obeys the commandments, he still does not have true life. Jesus perceives that his problem is wealth, which keeps him from God, the Author of life. The man refuses to give up his wealth to follow Jesus and walks away from eternal life. [2]

It was wealth, which prevented a young man from following Jesus. 

Give this man credit. Despite his youth, he realized there was something lacking in his life. He wanted something different from what he was experiencing. He needed something more. He simply existed. He wanted a quality life. His wealth was not enough. He needed something which money could not buy. His question is pertinent for our time, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

Receive it as a gift. This is the only way to receive real and lasting life. Read, and mark those wonderful words most of you have put to memory. From Luther’s Small Catechism - WhomI believe that Jesus Christ, true God, begotten of the Father in eternity, and also a true human being, born of the virgin Mary, is my Lord. What - He has redeemed me, a lost and condemned human being.  - He has purchased and freed me from all sins, from death, and from the power of the devil. How - Not with gold or silver but with his holy, precious blood and with his innocent suffering and death. Why - In order that I may belong to him, live under him in his kingdom, and serve him in eternal righteousness, innocence, and blessedness, just as he is risen from the dead and lives and rules eternally.[3]

Your life is a gift given by grace. Serve your Savior out of devotion, love and esteem. He has given you the greatest gift, real and abundant life at the price of His own life.

Keep watch over you church, O Lord, with your unfailing love; and, since it is grounded in human weakness and cannot maintain itself without your aid, protect it from all danger, and keep it in the way of salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen [4]


[1] Image by Ed Rioja © Higher Things
[2] Lectionary Preaching Workbook Series B, John Brokhoff, pg. 282 © 1981, CSS Publishing, Lima, OH
[3] Explanation to the Second Article of the Apostles’ Creed Luther’s Small Catechism © 1941 edition Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis
[4] Collect for Thursday of Lent 3, http://www.liturgies.net/Lent/LentenCollects.htm

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