If keeping the commandments automatically led to the joy
and life of the Kingdom of God, the rich young man would never have approached
Jesus at all. But they don’t. Keeping the commandments can lead to the Kingdom, but there’s no guarantee. Sometimes there
are obstacles.
Knowing that, Jesus looks for whatever might be in this man’s
way. It’s obvious: the man loves his money more than life.
Jesus tells him to sell everything. Get yourself free and follow me.
He can’t do it, so he turns away in sorrow. What was clear
to Jesus is now clear to everyone.
Jesus begins to talk about how hard it is for adults to
experience the Kingdom of God. Adults get attached to their possessions, power,
and relationships. They hold onto those things at the expense of the things
that matter most.
Then Jesus predicts his own death again.
The Scribes and Pharisees will approach Jesus, too. But
they don’t care about the obstacles in their own way. They will approach him
with challenges and questions, attempting to discredit him. They will attempt
to uphold the illusion that keeping the law leads to the things that matter
most.
The things blocking their way are just as obvious to Jesus
as the things that are in the rich man’s way. Jesus will point that out to
them, too.
But this discovery won’t cause grief. It will cause
violence.
The Scribes and Pharisees are going to hand him over to the
Roman authorities.
Text for the day:
Things to think
about:
At the beginning of Mark’s gospel, Jesus announced, “The
time is fulfilled. The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good
news.” The Kingdom of God is near all the time. What’s in the way?
Things to do:
Seek the Kingdom of God.
Jesus
show me what’s in my way.
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