Sunday 11 October 2009

Background

This passage raises a question which shapes the whole of Mark'sGospel: who is 'in' the kingdom of God and who is 'out'? Who isfirst and who is last? And Jesus' answers may still surpriseus.

The passage begins with a conversation between Jesus and a man whowants to be sure of his 'inheritance' as a faithful Jew. This man,recognising that Jesus was a "Good Teacher", wanted to know if hewas in. Jesus reminded him of some of the important commandments(not the TenCommandments, though, but a selection that included "You shallnot defraud" - perhaps a wry comment on the acquisition of wealth).But this man really had kept all these commandments and Jesus wasclearly impressed.

What he said next, though, came as a shock to the man. Wealth wasseen by most people at the time as a sure sign of God's blessingand approval. So to be told to give away his wealth would be seenas very odd. But if he wanted "treasure in heaven" he had to giveup treasure on earth. More than that, he needed to give it to thosewho were generally thought of as 'last'. Only then could he followJesus into the kingdom of God.

But why should wealth keep people out of the kingdom of God? Jesusdidn't really answer that question - in fact, he said that it washard for anyone to enter the kingdom.But wealth was a particular obstacle to salvation - perhaps becauseits acquisition and possession compromised obedience to thecommandments. Only God, said Jesus, could overcome this - but hedidn't say how!

Finally, the disciple Peter, rather proudly, pointed outthat he had "left everything andfollowed". And Jesus told him that, yes, those who did so wouldindeed receive eternal life, as well as the blessings of belongingto the 'community of the redeemed'. But there was a warningtoo...

This path would be very costly, and would upset a lot ofpreconceived religious ideas. Those who think they are in may findthey are out, and those who think they are out may find they arein, after all.

To Ponder

There are still Christians who regard prosperityas a sign of God's blessing. Why?

Are all Christians called to leave everything andfollow? How far is this realistic today?

"Many who are first will be last, and the lastwill be first." That may be true in heaven - what about in theChurch?