Just One More Thing

In Mark 10:17 and following, we read of a man who had money, possessions, and a position of power. He came to Jesus asking what he needed to do in order to be part of Christ's kingdom. He wanted eternal life.

Jesus tells him that he already has what he needs. He just needs to obey the commandments. You can see so much disappointment in his answer. "well... I already do that." He was talking to a sage (whether or not he recognized Jesus as the Messiah). He wanted sagely advice! He wanted to know some great work he could do to earn salvation, some new knowledge, or a straight ticket to heaven. Instead, he got "Yeah. Just keep doing what you're doing." 

The story could have ended right then, but Christ has compassion on the man and says "there's one more thing." Jesus gives the man exactly the kind of answer he was hoping for. All he had to do was sell everything, leave it all behind, give it to the poor, and follow Christ. This wasn't something that Jesus required or asked of everyone. I read this as Jesus offering this guy a chance at actual discipleship. Whether part of the seventy disciples (Luke 10) or part of the twelve, this man was asked to follow Christ, devote himself to his teachings, behave like Christ, and live how Christ lived. Christ didn't live in a mansion, have money, or have worldly power. To be a disciple of Christ and live like Christ, all of that had to be given up. 

The man reacts with sorrow. Jesus offered him this amazing opportunity, but in order to grasp it, he would have to give up something that he had worked toward for his entire life. He had something great, but he was offered something greater. No matter what, he had to give up something amazing. In the end, he apparently rejected Christ's offer. There are some historical legends that this man eventually returned and accepted Jesus' offer and became one of the seventy, and one odd-ball suggestion that it might have been Saul of Tarsus, but these are not really founded. They are just fun to think about. 

Jesus concludes that it is difficult to enter the Kingdom of God, but impossible for a rich man. Money is a method of distributing resources. It is a tool that can be used for any number of purchases. It distributes power. 

Are we rich? Yeah. Most likely. If you live in the United States and are not worried about where your next meal is going to come from or where you're sleeping tonight, you're in the top 1%. 

Why does wealth make it more difficult? People who think they have their lives figured out are not searching for anything. They don't have need of anything. They are not desperate. Why would they be seeking Christ? Why would they need to rely on anyone but themselves? They are used to being the one relied on, not the other way around. Hearing the gospel is not good news to this person. It calls for them to give away what they've earned and behave humbly. Jesus' message can sound like scolding to this person. 

Why would it be easier for a poor person? The materially poor person knows that they have needs and sometimes they need to rely on others to fulfill those needs. Dependence comes more easily. Competition is not nearly as profitable as cooperation. When the poor hear Christ's message, it is good news to them. You mean there's a life where I'll be provided for without the stress of worrying about how I'm going to put food on the table? 

What are we expected to sacrifice? We all have our things that are important to us. Just like the Rich Young Ruler, there are things that would be difficult for us to give up. We are expected to devote our time, money, and energy to serve God and his kingdom. That means there are other things to which we can no longer devote our time, money and energy. That is, if they take that time, money, and energy away from serving Christ. Hobbies, activities, jobs, friends, food, family (yes, even family) are less important than the mission that Christ has set out for us. You will be expected to take time, money, and energy away from these things to further his kingdom. The more we have, the harder it will be. We just have to be willing. 

What is the punchline?

Now that I have sucked the hope out of all of you, Jesus offers a little. With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible. There is hope for us rich folks yet! BUT it takes a reliance on God, and not a reliance on man. The Rich Young Ruler wanted some great answer. Perhaps he was searching for a way that he could EARN salvation, but that shows a reliance on man and his works. Instead, we must rely totally on God and his works. That does not mean that we don't have to sacrifice or do anything. Reliance, if anything, necessitates sacrifice. We sacrifice our will and submit to his. We sacrifice our power and ability, and rely on his. Reliance is obedience, discipleship, but never based solely on works. 

Thank you for reading, 

Jeff Griffith