FROM THE PASTOR
Ask the Complicated Questions
17As Jesus 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?” 18Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 19You 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; Honor your father and mother.’ ” 20The man said to Jesus, “Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.” 21Jesus, 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.” 22When the man heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Mark 10:17-22
American Christians have always had struggles with this passage of scripture. We have a complicated relationship with wealth and security. We have been taught from early times to save, be prepared for unexpected occurrences, and be prudent with our resources.
We also live in a world where a large majority of folks believe that a certain amount of wealth makes life happier. A 2010 study by psychologist Daniel Kahneman and Angus Deaton revealed that money did have an impact on how people evaluate their lives — people with more money feel better about their lives. The study showed when individuals reached an annual salary of $75,000, more money didn’t equate to more happiness.
It is within that context that we read Jesus’ summons to the rich young man who seeks to gain eternal life, that he must sell all of his possessions and give them to the poor first. This seems like a completely radical idea that would hold no weight in our society today. In fact, if you or I did that – we would be called foolish for that type of commitment – and someone would suggest that we have a financial guardian muck like Brittney Spears had!
So, what is really going on in this passage?
Maybe what is going on with the young man whom Jesus loved, was that Jesus was asking him to more deeply consider the complicated question of how his wealth was tied to his faith? And in asking that question he was challenging the rich young man to consider a deeper faith, a more sacrificial faith – living for others, not just himself.
Maybe that is the purpose of this Gospel text for each one of us who read it this weekend – it is asking us to consider for ourselves what is the relationship within my own life between my faith and my possessions….
Challenges can have a way to make us think more deeply about why we do certain things. This weekend Anne Krentz Organ picked a new hymn from the new hymnal supplement – All Creation Sings – the hymn is entitled – “Ask the Complicated Questions” – listen to the words:
Ask the complicated questions,
do not fear to be found out;
for our God makes strong our weakness,
forging faith in fires of doubt.
Seek the disconcerting answers,
follow where the Spirit blows;
test competing truths of wisdom,
for in tension new life grows.
Knock on doors of new ideas,
test assumptions long grown stale
for Christ calls from shores of wonder,
daring us to try and fail.
For in struggle we discover
truth both simple and profound;
in the knocking, asking, seeking,
we are opened, answered found.
Our Gospel asks the complicated question – Mark challenges us to remember that Jesus wants to be at the center of our lives and calls us to share what we have with others. We are reminded that nothing is impossible with God – bathed in that idea – what might God be calling you to consider on the road to deeper discipleship?
See you in Church!
Pastor Johnson
