by Rev. Bryan Findlayson, Lectionary Bible Studies and Sermons
Scripture: St. Mark 10: 17-31
Introduction
Mark carefully places the story of "the rich young ruler" between the blessing of the children, v13-16, and the rewards of discipleship, v28-31. In the blessing of the children, we learn that the kingdom of God is received by the humble seeker as a gift of grace. In the story of the rich man we are reminded that the righteousness worthy of the kingdom is beyond any of us and this because we are all "rich" in this world's things. Then, in the disciples' response to the rich man's sad departure, we learn that the rich man's sorrow is far safer than the disciples' pride, for in the end, the kingdom is given to the broken, not the proud.
The passage
v17. Jesus is approached by a man with an important question. This man of "great
wealth" is someone with genuine respect for Jesus, even addressing Jesus as
"good", a description normally reserved for God. He asks Jesus a classic
religious question, "what must I do to enter life", a question usually answered
in the terms of Ezekiel 33:15. For Jesus, salvation is not a matter of doing,
but rather receiving, and those who receive are the helpless, not the righteous.
v18. Jesus' unwillingness to accept the description "good" is not a denial of
his sinlessness, nor is it a claim to deity, but rather is a reminder that "none
are righteous, no not one."
v19. Jesus quotes the law as it relates to a neighbor. Do this and you will
live, Deut.30:15f.
v20. The man genuinely believes he has obeyed the law since becoming an adult,
although his question to Jesus implies a lack of assurance. Has he truly kept
the law?
v21. In the ethic of Judaism, it was not proper to become destitute through
sacrificial generosity to the poor. Yet, Jesus goes to the heart of true
neighborliness by illustrating how this rich man can love his neighbor as
himself. If he gives everything he has to the poor he will earn merit ("treasure
in heaven"), but of course, Jesus knows that no person is capable of perfection.
v22. Clearly Jesus has made his point, for the rich man now knows he is a
sinner. He joins the helpless, and it is the helpless Jesus has come to save.
v23-25. Jesus goes on to claim that it is hard for a person who possesses this
world's things to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples are astonished
because, in the ethic of Judaism, wealth is a sign of God's blessing and its
wise use a means of merit. Jesus then redefines his claim to include everyone,
such that what was hard now becomes impossible.
v26-27. If entering the kingdom (gaining "eternal life") is next to impossible,
what hope does anyone have? On the basis of human merit it is impossible, but
there is another way; God can save out of kindness.
v28. Peter's self-justification indicates a failure to understand all that Jesus
has just said to the disciples.
v29-30. Jesus' response to Peter is somewhat tongue in cheek. The "leaving" of
discipleship, prompted by faith in Christ, has its reward, both in eternity and
now, although the responsibilities of the Christian fellowship are sometimes
more a trial than a reward.
v31. Peter's self-congratulation prompts a warning to those, who like Peter,
think they are secure before God. The rich man, broken before God, is in a far
safer position than Peter with all his bluster.
The God of the impossible
"All things are possible with God."
We have all been reminded of this verse at some time or other. It often comes our way when we have expressed doubt about some venture proposed by a keen believer. There is nothing more dangerous in a church council meeting, than questioning the wisdom of some proposed programme, because we are sure to receive the "all things are possible" line. It implies we have little faith, little faith in God's power that is, rather than little faith in the wisdom of the hair-brain scheme. There is this long-held belief that impossible dreams are made possible by the God of the impossible.
There is no doubt that all things are possible for God, Yet, we are bound to qualify this claim. First, God does not act against his own will, person or character; he does not act against his own being. Second, he has never promised to act on our intentions, impossible or otherwise, rather, he acts on his own intentions. Where he has promised to act on our behalf, then we can be sure he will act as he has promised. For example, he has promised to save the repentant sinner. God has promised to overcome the impossible possibility of a sinner entering the kingdom of heaven.
In our passage for study we see a rich man humiliated and helpless, and disciples confident and self-assured. We are reminded that the God of the impossible is willing and able to eternally save the broken and unworthy.
Discussion
1. What was Jesus' purpose in quoting the commands to the rich man?
2. If "all things" doesn't mean everything, what does it mean? cf. v27.
See Also:
Sermons and Bible Commentaries for the 6th sunday after Sleebo
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