How shocking!

Mark 10:13-22

           The man was sad, he was disheartened,  his countenance fell, he was shocked. These are words used to translate how the man felt after he was told by Jesus to sell everything and give it to the poor. I have a fondness for the word shocked. I will leave it to biblical scholars what the Aramaic, Hebrew or Greek words were as well as the context. Shocked though has a depth of meaning that appeals to me.

           This is what Jesus came to tell us. It is not by obeying all the laws that we are saved, whether those laws are the ones created in ancient Jewish tradition or by modern Catholicism or by the Amish for that matter. What matters is the love in our hearts and how we love our brothers and sisters.  This poor chap was stunned that he wad to sell all he had, perhaps he already gave to the poor and needy, Jesus is is telling him to sell everything he owns. That is quite a tall order. But for someone who claims to have done everything he was required to do, perhaps it is right on target. It goes to where his heart really was. Clearly, he had issues over his possessions. Perhaps the possessions owned him!

               I am sure we all have an idea of what God wants us to do and not do. The self righteous probably, not so much. They are already convinced they have a lock on salvation. If this passage tells me anything it is that no one has a lock on salvation.  Whether you are one of those who obey all the rules or you belong to the 'correct' religion or you have been convinced you are one of the 144,000. Jesus probably has a shock for you. I may be shocked as well. Jesus turned everything upside down and we should never be complacent and we certainly should never miss an opportunity to love.  We may want to pay special attention to those that we think are the least likely to be saved, the outcasts and the marginalized of society. They may shock us and be the first one's into heaven. Jesus said as much himself (Mt. 21:31).

               

People were bringing little children to him in order that he might touch them; and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, ‘Let the little children come to me; do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up and knelt before him, and asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; You shall not defraud; Honour your father and mother.” ’ He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 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.’ When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions.