A little
background:
· When the man
comes up to Jesus, he compliments Jesus by calling him good, in the culture of
the time, this meant Jesus should be return with a compliment.
·
prevailing theology was “wealth = blessing
from God”, the idea that the wealthy would not be the first into the Kingdom is
a radical change[i]
· In Mark, the
man is not described in the same way as Luke – where he is the rich young ruler.
In Mark he is a property owner. I am told the word used for having possessions,
means property rather than watches or jewellery or books.
· In the
commandments listed, which are the second half of the ten commandments that
deal with how we live in community with each other, Jesus adds in an extra one –
do not cheat. Is Jesus implying the man has exploited his workers?
Landowners had
tenant farmers farm their land, with the landowner getting the excess over what
the family needed, but as in other times in history, it is possible the landowner
was demanding his portion first, even if that meant the tenant farmer could not
feed his family.
The last
week we read the section where Peter declares that Jesus is the Messiah, the
Jesus says this is what will happen, I will be tortured and killed, and Peters
says: no way, that isn’t how it is going to happen.
Then the story
of Jesus up the mountain with Moses and Elijah and a voice form heaven saying:
This is my son, listen to him!
Then some
parts we didn’t hear read:
Jesus healing
a boy with a spirit,
Jesus again
says he will be killed;
then the
first part of today’s reading –
the argument
about who is greatest and the need to welcome children, then a question from the
disciples over what to do about an exorcist that isn’t one of them
and a conversation about what to do if you are tempted to sin,
the teaching on divorce,
Jesus blessing the children,
then the story of the rich man.
and a conversation about what to do if you are tempted to sin,
the teaching on divorce,
Jesus blessing the children,
then the story of the rich man.
I wonder if
Jesus ever got angry and said to the disciples:
when will
you get this!
There is not
going to be a palace or a party at the end of this road.
I am the
Messiah, but not like what you are looking for.
We are
almost up to the entry into Jerusalem and Jesus can see the writing in the
wall.
What to make
of this reading?
Well, it isn’t
saying being rich is good or bad.
But what is
important is what we do with what we have.
The kingdom
is not after we die, but what we live into here and now.
The Kingdom
of God is not about who has the most possessions, land, money, toys, or anything
else.
The kingdom
of God is based on who generated the most love and reconciliation and forgiveness
It is about
living into the Kingdom, seeing the divinity in each person.
We are near the
beginning of Lent, a time when we consider our life with God and with others. A
time when we review our lives and our priorities.
Verse 21[NRSV]:
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what
you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven;
then come, follow me.’
Notice that
Jesus loves the man, before the man decides what to do. The love of Jesus does
not depend on your response to his call to come and follow. Jesus loves you!
Just as the
other disciples were called to leave behind their nets and tax booths and
everything else, so this man was called to leave everything he has. And we are
also called to follow and be willing to leave behind anything and any relationship.
Jesus says:
I love you
Then invites
us into a deeper relationship with God and with those around us.
And in that
relationship with God we are challenged to be agents of reconciliation, admitting
our greed, hateful words and offensive behaviour.
None of us
are perfect, and I don’t think Jesus expects perfection.
Love is the
basis of Christianity;
the Love of
God shown in Jesus
the love of
Jesus shown in his living
the love
that we show others because we know we are loved unconditionally.
How does the
love of God for us
and the love
of Christ in us
show in our lives?
Reflection time
