Pentecost 22
– Proper 24
21 October 2018
Mark 10:23-31
Self reliance might be the American way – but not
so with Jesus
A prayer to
resist the love of money: "Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have
called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ
Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and
the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things
that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so
find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, our Lord." Amen
Our Gospel lesson is a continuation of last week.
After the rich young man went away sorrowful, Jesus takes the opportunity to
educate His disciples in the barrier that great wealth poses to one’s
salvation. The temptation is to trust in the riches, rather than the rest. In
fact, 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 can, if he relies on himself. It
is only by God’s grace that anyone can be saved, for all things are possible
with God.
Jesus predicts His trial, execution, and resurrection
for the third time, while walking boldly to His death. Jesus goes to die the
sinners' death, accepting the Law's penalty in our place. Faith looks to Christ
crucified and risen and says, "for me!" Luther - "Who is this "me?" It is I, an
accursed and damned sinner, who was so beloved by the Son of God that He gave
Himself for me." (AE 26:176)
1.
What was Jesus
getting at with the Camel? Recall CS Lewis’
famous line; “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.”- From his work ‘Parables’
The camel has to die! The biggest animal passing
through the smallest hole. What is Jesus getting at?
Americans have a chance to gain nearly every material
possession they want. So, we often become convinced, at least subconsciously,
that we can buy happiness and meaning. This delusion can leave us void of the
lasting, deep-down joy that possessions cannot bring. Where is true joy and
contentment found?
Given our current cultural context, in which so much
of our collectively ingrained assumptions about financial security have been
uprooted and have further exposed our runaway consumption, consider the
gospel's perspective on discipleship, possessions, and abundance.
2.
What is our
perspective on possessions?
3.
What was Jesus
getting at with His conversation with His disciples?
4.
What is your
reaction to Peter’s statement? Better
yet, what is your reaction to Jesus’ response?
5.
We are now one
month away from Thanksgiving. How does today’s lesson shape your plans for this
year’s feast?
A prayer for
deliverance from the love of money: Almighty God, heavenly Father, You have
called us to be Your children and heirs of Your gracious promises in Christ
Jesus. Grant us Your Holy Spirit that we may forsake all covetous desires and
the inordinate love of riches. Deliver us from the pursuit of passing things
that we may seek the kingdom of Your Son and trust in His righteousness and so
find blessedness and peace; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord.
A prayer for
the proper use of wealth: 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.
Lutheran Service Book © 2009 Concordia Publishing House, St.
Louis
No comments:
Post a Comment