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Pentecost 21 2024, Proper 23
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Hamilton, Ohio
Pastor Kevin Jud
October 13, 2024
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15, Hebrews 3:12-19, Mark 10:17-22
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Elon Musk is needy and helpless. Jeff Bezos is needy and helpless. Bill Gates is needy and helpless. Like everyone else, the very wealthy are needy and helpless, but, far too often, they do not know it.
The very wealthy can do things that normal people cannot even imagine. They own islands, airplanes, huge collections of exotic cars, they get things done by using their power, wealth, and influence. They are problem solvers. The Bill and Melinda Gates foundation has projects going on all around the world dealing with issues of poverty. They are working improve education, agriculture, health and nutrition in some of the poorest nations. Jeff Bezos recently gave over $100 million to fight homelessness in the U.S. In response to Hurricane Helene, Elon Musk sent helicopters into Western North Carolina to set up hundreds of Starlink internet stations so people can get on the internet and be able to communicate and let their families know they are safe.
Rich people see a problem and have the resources to make things happen and solve the problem. I would think that to become very wealthy you need to have a “git r done” kind of attitude. The very wealthy are problem solvers. Here is a problem. How can I fix it?
In our Gospel reading today we meet a very wealthy man who is used to solving problems. He comes to Jesus after Jesus has just finished teaching about children and the Kingdom of Heaven. Mark 10:15 (ESV) 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.
Now, the disciples originally tried to keep the children away, but the rich man encounters no interference. The disciples are likely quite impressed that the rich man is coming to them. He runs right up to Jesus and kneels before Him and asks, Mark 10:17 (ESV) 17 …“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” What does the rich man believe about Jesus? The man seems to have a high view of Jesus as he genuflects before Him and calls Him “good teacher.” “Good teacher” is an unusual title in Jewish culture; only God is good. This prompts Jesus’ response, Mark 10:18 (ESV) 18 …“Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.” Does this man know Jesus is God? Does he think He is a prophet? Maybe He has heard all Jesus has done and suspects the truth, wonders about the truth, but is not quite ready to believe the truth. Much like the father of the demon possessed boy who says to Jesus, Mark 9:22, 24 (ESV) 22 … But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us….[, and] “I believe, help my unbelief.”
The rich man may suspect Jesus is possibly divine, but does not know what all that means. There are so many today that have some idea about Jesus, they may say they believe in Jesus, but they misunderstand Him, they do not know who Jesus is and how He works. They are looking for Jesus to be a helper and a coach and a comforter. They are looking for Jesus to help them be successful. But Jesus did not come to help you be successful; Jesus came to save you. The rich man asks a question, but it is the wrong question. Mark 10:17 (ESV) “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” It is a very normal question, a very typical question, but it is the wrong question. Jesus answers him. Mark 10:19 (ESV) 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” Basically, all you have to do is keep the 10 commandments.
The man answers, Mark 10:20 (ESV) 20 … “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” This guy believes he is one of the good ones. He believes that he is good enough. His wealth is a sign that God is blessing him and he believes he is keeping the commandments. Now, you know that, 1 John 1:8 (ESV) 8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” But somehow the rich man has convinced himself he is keeping the commandments. The man is seeking the right thing, but he is asking the wrong question, and he is lying to himself about keeping the commandments. Jesus looks at him with love and lowers the hammer of the law onto the rich young man with one sentence. Mark 10:21 (ESV) 21 …“You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; ….” The man may think he is doing well with the second table of the law, but what about the first table; the commandments about God. What about the first commandment; you shall have no other Gods?
Who or what does the man fear, love and trust? Does he fear, love and trust God… or money? Jesus convicts the man with this one sentence. The man realizes that he is not keeping the first commandment and this breaks him. He is broken by the law of God. But Jesus does not crush him with the law and leave him crushed. He invites the man, “…come, follow me.”
Jesus loves the man and wants him to be saved, but the man does not follow Jesus. Something else is more important. Mark 10:22 (ESV) 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
The man is disheartened because he realizes that he is not good enough. He realizes that he cannot do it himself. He realizes that he needs help. He is wealthy. He can get things done. He is a problem solver. But this is a problem he cannot solve. He is needy and helpless. This is a new, confusing sensation for the wealthy man. He is…needy...and…helpless, like…a…child. Jesus invites him to follow, but to follow Jesus would be admitting that he is needy. So, just like the man declared he is keeping commandments 4 to 10 he does not want to admit that he is breaking the first and greatest commandment by loving money more than God… and he walks away.
This is still a hard lesson today. This is a most difficult teaching. You live in a land of great abundance and are constantly tempted to love money and love stuff. It is way too easy to fear, love and trust in possessions and money and investments. You worry that if forced to choose between wealth and Jesus you would be sorely tempted to choose wealth. Wealth is the way of the world. The world teaches you to love money and use people. Jesus teaches you to love people and use money.
You know the temptation, so you come here each week and get on your knees and admit you are needy. You are needy and helpless like a little child. No matter how much money you have, you are needy and helpless when facing the law of God.
Jesus’ disciples are also having that same problem. In next week’s Gospel reading, after the rich man went away, Mark 10:23 (ESV) 23 …Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.
The disciples are amazed. How can this be? Everyone wants to be rich. They believe wealth is a sign of God’s blessing, and yet they just saw a rich man turn his back on Jesus and walk away disheartened. He could not admit he is a helpless, needy child. Jesus continues, and notice how He addresses the disciples. Mark 10:24–25 (ESV) 24 …“Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
A camel…through the eye of a needle…that’s crazy…that’s impossible. The disciples are confused. Mark 10:26 (ESV) 26 … “Then who can be saved?” Mark 10:27 (ESV) 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” is the wrong question. There is nothing you can do. You do not deserve it, you cannot earn it, it can only come as a gift from God. Salvation comes from God alone. Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. With God all things are possible.
The rich man in our Gospel reading is needy and helpless. The very wealthy today are needy and helpless. You are needy and helpless. The advantage you have is that you know it. You know you are a spiritually needy, helpless child, and you know the way of salvation through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. You are a baptized child of God. Jesus gave you the gift of the Holy Spirit. You have heard Jesus’ invitation, “follow me,” and you follow Him because you know He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. You know you cannot do it on your own. You follow Jesus. Amen.