Sunday, October 15, 2006

SERMON, PROPER 23B, MARK 10:17-31

A pious and religious rich man approaches Jesus wanting to know how to inherit eternal life. This concern is prevalent almost everywhere -- am I good enough to be saved? And what else can I do to insure my eternal happiness? It is a common question with an uncommon character.

It is an uncommon character because rich people are generally looked down on in the bible. The rich man and Lazarus, the wealthy farmer who hoarded his harvest, the parable of the rich man told by Nathan to King David, and Luke's recounting of the "woes" in the Beatitudes, just to name a few. What makes this character uncommon is that he is portrayed in a generally favorable light.

Here's a rich man who recognizes the authority of Jesus. He's concerned with living in such a way that his eternal life may hang in the balance. He follows the law. In general, he's a good guy. And then Jesus hits him where it counts - his wallet.

"If you want to be saved, sell everything you own and follow me." And the man went away grieving.

It would be easy for me to preach on the evils of wealth. It would be easy for me to stand here and spout off sayings like, "Where your treasure is, there your heart is," or, "Look at your check book to see what you truly value."

And it would be easy for me to attack the prosperity gospel. That would be the gospel of Joel Osteen, the 700 Club, Jabez and TBN that says if you ask God in just the right way then God will shower you with gifts of money and other riches, thereby indicating that you are blessed by him. All of that would be easy to do, because there is clear precedent in scripture that if you are wealthy your immortal soul is in grave danger.

But although money seems to be at the root of the gospel today, I don't think that's really the issue. What's really going on is that Jesus is turning everything upside down -- again. The tag line here is when Jesus says many who are first will be last, and the last first.

It's not just about money and wealth. It's also about power and attitude and submission.

This text follows closely on the heels of the text about placing stumbling blocks in front of children who believe in Jesus. The implication here is that children have no power. Are we willing to give up our power for the sake of the gospel? Are we willing to become powerless and simply serve God and the church and to preach the good news?

The text is also about attitude. What do we cling to that we are afraid to let go of, or are scared to try? Do we have an attitude that says we have all the answers? Do we claim to be first among Christians because we attend the right church, practice the right liturgy or say the right prayers. Are we willing to let go of that attitude that says, "I am first among believers?"

And the text is ultimately about submission. I talked about this when I was preaching on Ephesians: Wives be subject to your husbands, etc. etc. etc. That subjection, or submission, though, happens because we choose to put someone else ahead of our own desires. We choose to take that leap of faith, leave our control and sense of familiarity behind and allow Jesus to lead us every step of the way.

That means total submission. It means being willing to let go. It means doing things not to get noticed or to stock up on spiritual brownie points. It means doing things without any thought of recognition. It means serving God and allowing him to worry about the details.

Yes, it would be easy to think this particular passage is all about money being a stumbling block. But by only reading that particular interpretation, we can easily miss the depth of the message. We would miss the fact that Jesus is turning everything upside down -- again. And we would miss the opportunity to examine our lives in such a way that we are challenged to seriously confront that which removes us from the presence of Christ.

Like the wealthy man seeking salvation, what are the self-created barriers in our lives that make it difficult for us to follow and submit totally to Jesus? I'll give you a hint: it's not just money.

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