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October 8, 2006

Mark 10:17-31

"Then Who Can be Saved? "

Money. It seems to rule our world. It seems to control everything we do. It divides our population and always seems to be that elusive item for most people. There seems to be one catch phrase that is universal in any language and meaning: “If we just had more money, then blank.” You can fill in the blank with just about anything. “If we just had more money, then we could pay off our student loans and be out debt.” “If we just had more money, then we could buy a bigger house.” “If we just had more money, then we could provide a better life for our family.” “If we just had more money…You can fill in the blank.”

Money. There never seems to be enough of it. And the ones who have the money seem to spend it on the craziest things or opens the doors to fantasies that us regular folk would only dream of in our life time. Fancy cars, luxury island get-aways, trips to space, shopping sprees at the exclusive shops on Rodeo drive. That all seems like a whole separate world.
I was listening to NPR one afternoon and I heard that Target was starting a high fashion couture line named Targe’. The items of clothing would have the Target bull’s eye emblazoned on the front of shirts or pockets of jeans in 24 carat gold or diamonds. In L.A., the line of clothing was really taking off but economists were worried what this high fashion line would mean for regular, bargain brand Target shoppers. Would people really want to buy a purse that cost $12.00 at Target, knowing you could get the same purse for $300 with a few more sparkles. Many of the economists were saying that many people would start thinking that the items found at Target would be lower quality due to its lower price. Target needed to stay with the smart money, providing quality goods at unbeatable prices.

Money. Wars have been fought over it. People killed for it. Countries ripped apart in hopes of gaining control of it. Money. It drives our world.

We all have the dreams of winning the big jack-pot in the lottery and I know that just like me, you have got it all planned out where all the money would go. Of course, some of the money would go to our favorite charities or organizations. (Special note: Midway Christian Church is a really great organization if you are looking for a place to give away your millions, just talk to me. I’ll help you out.) And after we give away a few million from our big jack-pot, we have visions of retiring to a tropical island, secluded far away from everyone, sitting on the beach, soaking up the sun, and enjoying a life of rest and relaxation.

Yes, you just wait until we get that 100 million dollar jackpot. We would solve the world’s problems and then enjoy the peace of mind that having money provides for a person.

What the lottery people don’t tell you is that many people after they win the lottery, their lives aren’t much better. Relatives appear out of nowhere, fights break out, and lives are not the same. TLC did a special on people after they won the lottery. The TV show caught up with 5 different people and they shared their story. Before the lottery, they were broke, down to their last dime and now after the lottery, they have fancy cars, big houses, and can buy anything that they want. And before they finished their story, the host would ask: “Are you happy?” It was interesting. Each one would get a look on their face and couldn’t really answer the question with a resounding yes.

“If we just had more money, our lives would be better and all our problems would be solved.” “If we just had more money, …. You fill in the blank.”

Money. It is the plot line of our story today. A rich man comes to Jesus and asks what does he have to do to have eternal life. Jesus tells the man to follow the commandments and the young man says that he has done that all his life. I imagine that Jesus looks at the young man and without words, just through the expressions on his face, asks the young man if he is happy. And Jesus opens up the opportunity for the young man to answer the question with a resounding yes by giving this young man the keys to the Kingdom. “Sell everything, give the money to the poor, and follow me.”
But the young man walks away saddened because he can only see that he would lose every material item that he has and does not see that he would have gained everything worth living for in Jesus’ commandment. That Jesus’ commandment is the key to salvation and opens the door to understanding that all things are possible through God.

I have to give credit to the young man in this story. He has my respect and my understanding. I don’t know what I would do if I was in the same situation. I can just imagine myself having the same conversation with Jesus.

“Jesus, now let me see if I have got this right. What exactly do I need to do to have eternal life?” “Keep the commandments.” Check. “Love my neighbor as myself.” Check. “Love God.” Check. And I am sure that I would start thinking to myself. “Okay. I’m on the right track. I am doing all the things that I need to do.” I haven’t murdered anyone although Lexington traffic does push my buttons and some days I think if one more person pulls out in front of me…(you can fill in the blank)” “I haven’t stolen anything.” “I love my mom and my dad.” I am okay. I have got a lock on this eternal life thing. I’m good.”

I would think this is great. I have been doing everything I need to do for eternal life. Everything is secure. I am good in the after-life and I have comfortable life here and now.

But here is where the details get a little fuzzy. What would I do if Jesus turned to me and said, “Sell everything you own, give the money to the poor, and follow me.” What would I do?

My first reaction might be to say, “Ugh, Jesus, give to the poor. Don’t you know that I’m poor? Have you seen my student loan bills?

And probably my other reaction would be sure, I can sell some things. Don’t worry. And I would go through the house, picking out stuff that I haven’t used in years or most of Mike’s stuff might be on the curb for our yard sale. And I’m sure that he would retaliate by taking all my dishes, regular and Christmas, and adding them to the pile to sell. Then a big fight would start and things would get ugly.

Or I could rationalize the whole story and say, “Jesus, that was then and this is now. The author of Mark was thinking your coming back was imminent and that people should be really devoted to being Christians. The Christians in the first century needed to hear that all of their sacrifices were not given in vein. That they had gone against the social norm, being rejected by their families and friends and were suffering persecution because there was a bigger reward in heaven.”

Or would I say, “Oh I got. You’re speaking in metaphors again. Really you’re saying give up what hold’s me back from really becoming your disciple like… you fill in the blank. I got it.”

Or would I walk away, saddened because I have a lot possessions. They provide me with security. They let me know that I have a good life. They let me know that I am doing okay in this world where money is everything.

I honestly don’t know what I would do if Jesus gave me that commandment to sell everything, give the money to the poor, and follow him. But I can tell you that commandment breaks me out in a cold sweat and I start to feel really nauseous when I think of the implications. All my security. All the things that let me know that let me know that I am doing okay in the world and keeping up with the Jones, all gone. Then what would I have?

Now, I am not advocating that we all leave today and starting selling everything we own because it says so right here in the Bible. But I am asking that you think about what Jesus is asking in this passage. If we did sell everything and follow Jesus, what would we have? Maybe an understanding of true grace and hospitality and the gift of life. Maybe an understanding that money and possessions don’t really bring happiness. Maybe a complete and utter reliance and trust in God. Maybe a better appreciation for the kindness of strangers and the mercy of our fellow brothers and sisters. Maybe a better understanding of how the kingdom of God really works.

For you see when we take away the material possessions which we think define us we discover a different viewpoint of ourselves as defined by God. We discover this viewpoint is not about what we own or have but about how we treat one another. Do we really love our neighbors as ourselves? Do we really live out the commandments or are they a checklist that we tick off as something to be completed and then forgotten?

Once we are stripped bare of our material definitions and material illusions, we are left with just one thing: our calling to live our faith in a world that is hurting and broken. Our calling to be God’s people in a world that is crying out for peace and justice.
When Jesus asks the young man to leave all and to come and follow, Jesus is giving the man the opportunity to live out his calling as a child of God. When Jesus asks us to leave all and to come and follow, Jesus is giving us the opportunity to step out and fulfill our calling as a person of faith.

May we have the courage to accept what it really means to come and follow Jesus. Amen.

Rev. Heather McColl
Midway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

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