“Some difficult ‘sticking points”
Meditation – Sunday, October 19, 2021 by Rev. Michael Stonhouse
Mark 10: 17-31 (Forward, p. 73) CEV p. 1040
It seems that today’s encounter of Jesus with the man often referred to as the ‘rich young ruler’ raises a host of questions that challenge each of us. For the gentleman in question, there were just two of them:
a) He figured that entry into eternal life, into the kingdom of God, was something that he could accomplish by his own efforts. That is what lay behind the question that he posed to Jesus: “Good teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?” (verse 17)
This young man was not alone in this misconception, as the apostle Paul was subject to it as well. (In his earlier life, he had tried to find, to achieve, God’s righteousness simply by means of his own actions, his own observance of the Law.)
And it’s not just them. Don’t we often kid ourselves in this regard, “Hey, I’m doing okay,” or in relation to others, “Yes, he (or she) was a good person,” as if that is all that matters? The trick is that all sorts of people lead good lives, exemplary lives, and are, in fact, sometimes more righteous than we, and yet have no faith and no relationship with Christ.
b) He was devoted to his belongings, unduly attached to them, such that he could not let them go. Where verse 24 reads “It’s terribly hard to get into God’s kingdom”, some manuscripts add the words ‘for people who trust in their wealth’ after the word ‘hard.’
While that certainly is true, there is more to be said about it than just that. We can be unduly attached to certain material items, say a house or a car or one’s clothes (or, in my case, my books and papers) without actually trusting in them. These things can have a status in our lives, a hold upon our lives and our affections, such as does not allow us to give them up easily. Which means, sadly, that they can have, at times at least, a hold upon our lives, an allegiance, that is greater than what we have in Christ. Yes, these things can interfere with us truly, fully and faithfully knowing and loving and following Him.
The rich man was probably confused by Jesus’ words, as we know for certain that Jesus’ disciples were. And why was that? It was because there was a widespread notion then that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing, an indication that God was pleased with you. So, if this was not the case, how could one know? If wealth or works were not the key, then what was? Jesus’ point was that only a trust in God would ‘do the trick’. Self-sacrifice, as He indicated to the disciples, was laudable and valued, but it was not enough. Only a trust in God sufficed. Yes, it was all quite impossible for us humans to achieve by our own ends and means, but not for God. Works and wealth, as with the rich young ruler, can be serious sticking points for all of us, and so we need to progress, and grow, beyond a reliance upon either of them. And so, no matter what, we need to trust God. Amen.
One of today’s hymns, “Jesus Calls Us! O’er the Tumult” (Common Praise #432), has some words that seem especially appropriate to today’s passage and meditation:
“Jesus calls us from the worship
Of the world’s golden store,
From each idol that would keep us,
Saying, ‘Christian, love me more.’
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Days of toil and hours of ease,
Still he calls, in cares and pleasures,
‘Christian, love me more than these’
Jesus calls us! By thy mercies,
Saviour, may we hear thy call,
Give our hearts to thine obedience,
Serve and love thee best of all.”
Forward notes: “Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you’” (verse 28).
“Today I continue celebrating my life, but I celebrate it with all my sisters and brothers in Christ. They see my spiritual growth and how my life’s
ministry continues to grow. Today our priest handed me a license as a eucharistic minister—one of various achievements that have strengthened my faith journey. My hands, my desires, and my creativity are never still. In the Lord’s vineyard, there is always work to be done, and able hands are needed to do the work of mission. In everything I do, I try to give the best of myself.
“I will never be sorry for saying ‘Yes’ to Christ four years ago. I will keep following where he leads. I pray that people will see the face of Jesus in me—the face of the Jesus who moves us in his love. This is only achieved by looking at others and blessing them in God’s name. Like Peter, let us follow the way of Jesus.”
Moving Forward: “Look in the mirror. Do you see the face of Jesus? When others look at you, do they see Jesus in all you do and say? What steps might you take to recommit to following Jesus?”
