Mark 10:23-31 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
Context: This passage need to be contextualized by carefully reading the previous passage, Mark 10:17-22, once more before going deeper. Feel the love that Jesus has for the man with many possessions and let yourself feel the love Jesus has for you … especially if you are struggling with difficult attachments.
Going Deeper: We still tend to think that God's blessings come to those who are "good" and "do the right thing" until disaster hits and we wonder "what did I do wrong?" or "what did I do to deserve this?" If this belief runs deep enough, people even wonder "Am I saved?" In this question that emerges from the question the disciples ask in this passage, “Then who in the world can be saved?” we hear the echoing of the question posed by the many with many possessions who asked “what must I do to be saved?” This question is the central question of Christianity and all Christians struggle with it at some point in life, especially as they begin to desire a deeper and more authentic relationship with God. The truth is that we are completely incapable of saving ourselves … this is why we need God in Christ! Our salvation lies only in the hands of God and as Jesus says to the disciples, “everything is possible with God.” We can depend on Christ and trust in God’s love for us!
So … why is wealth so dangerous? Material wealth tempts us to trust in ourselves and our own “stuff” rather than leading us to trust God.
Pondering: What do you consider wealth today? Consider your own wealth. FYI: If you don’t live in a 3rd world country, you are wealthy … the fact that you are following a BLOG should tell you that you are “wealthy” in the sense that Jesus means it in this passage. Perhaps you might consider what it is that you are “attached” to almost like an addiction. We all have these things … things that demand our attention and keep us from doing the things that will nourish our body, soul, and mind … things that keep us from focusing on God and our purpose in life and ministry. This will give you an indication of what your wealth is. What would you be willing to give up in order to focus on God and God’s purpose for your life more intently? What would you not give up? What does that tell you about yourself and your relationship to God?
Praying: Take a deep breath and concentrate of God’s love for you in the midst of all of your attachments and any addictions you may have. Feel the gaze of Jesus’ eyes upon you and allow God’s love to wash over you and to fill you and to call you deeper. Sit with Jesus …
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