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 - Whom - I 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]
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