Willingly Give Up Everything!

Job: 23.1-9, 16-17 Ps: 22.1-15 Hebrews: 4.12-16 Mark: 10.17-31
Reuben Condie

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.

Interesting set of readings today... The Old Testament readings we have on Sundays follow-on from week to week, so it is a superb coincidence that when we have the story of 'The Rich Young Man' in the Gospel... ...we have Job......who in the space of a single day......loses everything! Possessions... ...servants... ...family... ...ALL LOST! Job's body breaks out in running sores. The great man becomes an outcast. He has done nothing to deserve suffering. His life has become a succession of pain-filled days and sleepless nights. Even now, after all this, Job cannot believe God is unjust. If only Job could find God and put his case to Him. But, as we heard today... despite Job looking... ...God is not to be found.

All this... ...in the old testament readings of last week......and this week...

And today.... ....we hear the Gospel story of the story of the rich young man. Is someone trying to tell us something?

Just about everyone has heard the story in today's Gospel before. The story, as told by Mark, is also told by Matthew and Luke. The versions differ (only slightly)... ...but the message is the same.

So, as we leave poor old Job, still faithful and true to God, despite losing everything... ...and suffering all. What is the message in today's Gospel?

'Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?'

Jesus' first answer is the one any Jewish teacher would have given. "You 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; Honour your father and mother....'" The young man replies, "Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth." Jesus, looking at the young man, loved him. He could see that he was sincere. He could see that he was honest. He could see that he was faithful. He could see that he obeyed all the commandments. God, in the form of our Lord and Saviour, looks directly into the young man's eyes. He can see directly into his soul... ...and He loves him. When God looks into your soul, nothing can be hidden!

As Paul says in our second reading today "The word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart."

So, Jesus looks deep within the young man and He sees something... '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.'

O. K.....

Some of you might be getting a little worried now. Does this mean that Christ's followers must become penniless?

HOLD THAT THOUGHT!!!!!

In this case, the man's possessions kept him from becoming a disciple. Because his possessions were so important to him. Too important!

Anything that takes first place - God's place - in our lives must go. So Jesus tells him, "Go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

Does this mean that Christ's followers must become penniless? (Still holding that thought?)

Jesus pinpoints the root of the young man's trouble. The young man's commandment-keeping, although done with a true heart, is not done with his whole heart! His possessions mean too much to him. The thought of losing them... ...is too much for him.

Is the thought of losing your possessions too much for you?

Because of his love for his wealth and possessions, he is failing to love God and his neighbour, above all else. So Jesus tells him to sell up! Give everything to the poor!

So... We come to it...

Does this mean that Christ's followers must become penniless?

NO!

It means that to follow Jesus (even today)...

...To enter the Kingdom of God...

WITH GOD... ...LOOKING DEEP INTO OUR SOULS...

WE MUST TRULY... ...BE PREPARED... ...TO WILLINGLY GIVE UP EVERYTHING!

Yes... ...you tell that my feet are firmly planted in the Franciscan way of life.

But I can tell you now... ...today... ...in this modern world... ...and with all that comes with it...

There is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or job, or car, or video-recorder, or hi-fi, or television, or any possessions... for Jesus sake and for the sake of the Good News, who will not receive a hundredfold - now (in this age of homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and jobs--and persecution).

And in the age to come?... .....ETERNAL LIFE!

Many who are first will be last...

...and many who are last...

WILL BE FIRST!

It is better to possess nothing than to love things more than God.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.