October 13, 2024

Mark 10:17-27:

This is the story of the young man who approaches Jesus and asks what he must do to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  He has identified this as something he wants. Jesus reviews with him the ten commandments, and the wealthy young man says he has followed those since childhood.  Jesus looked at him and “loved him,” and told him one more thing he must do – go and sell his possessions, of which he had many, give the money to the poor, and then he would have treasure in heaven; then he should return to follow Jesus.  But the young man’s face fell and he went away sad, unable to let go of his possessions. 

Jesus then tells his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!”  This surprises the disciples – why?  Because in those days (as now) those who were well off and respectable were regarded as closer to God, good citizens blessed by God.  But Jesus turns it on its head, because he puts the spiritual life first.  Attachment to possessions, trying to ensure our own survival and security through our own efforts to the exclusion of God and neighbors – including the poor – that prevents us from entering the Kingdom of God. “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for one who is rich to enter the Kingdom of God,” Jesus says.  Clearly that is impossible in ordinary reality.  Therefore Jesus concludes, “For men it is impossible, but not for God.  All things are possible for God.”

In other words, we cannot plot and scheme and strategize our way into the Kingdom of God. We can simply give up and trust in God.  Oh how much easier it is for the poor to do this, knowing that they rely only on the goodness of God to provide for them.  Do not be afraid of poverty and simplicity.  It will be OK.  That is all.  This is a great gift that God has given us, to know it is OK to be simple, ordinary, and poor, close to the earth, just be.  Just be as God has created us, in our own perfection, however we turned out.  Do not try to be different. Amen.

(This message was received on May 27, 2024.)