What if...?

The Rev. Kathi Johnson

B Lectionary 28 – 11 October 2015

Text: Mark 10:17-31

Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Grand Prairie, Texas

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When I was growing up, I loved to read. At one point, I was introduced to a type of fiction called “Choose Your Own Adventure” books – these were books that had two endings. So you’d read along, and, depending on which ending you chose, the characters would have completely different experiences.

I remember that when I first encountered one of these types of books, I felt apprehensive. Stories are supposed to have beginnings, middles, and endings. Just give it to me, whatever it is. What do you mean, I get to choose my own ending?

I had a similar feeling this week as I was preparing to preach on this text from Mark 10, specifically, when I encountered a commentary that completely changed the possible ending of this story of the Rich Man and Jesus. The most common understanding of this tory is based on the assumption that the Rich Man turns away from Jesus and doesn’t follow him.

So, I’m going to read the Gospel lesson, and I want you to hold that assumption in your mind as you listen to the story…(click here to read the lesson)

This interpretation certainly makes sense to us. The text, after all, in no way indicates that the Rich Man comes back to Jesus later on, having sold his possessions and given the money to the poor. In this first scenario, the Rich Man’s sadness is based on his realization that he just doesn’t want to follow Jesus badly enough to give up all his wealth, and everything that his wealth brings him.

Then, as now, wealth gives a certain identity. Then, as now, wealth gives power and almost unfettered access. Then, as now, wealth gives control (or at least a sense of control) and the ability to be independent. When Jesus tells the Rich Man to sell everything he has, he knows what he’s asking the Rich Man to give up. He also knows there will be a struggle in the sacrifice because he tells the disciples, “How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”

In this first scenario, the Rich Man chooses to walk away, leaving Jesus behind.

But…what if, later on, he came back? What if he did do as Jesus told him: what if he sold his possessions and gave all that money to the poor, and later, returned to follow Jesus faithfully? The text doesn’t say he did, but the possibility is too intriguing to ignore.

I’m going to read the story again, and this time, I want to hold that scenario in your mind…(click here to read the lesson)

This interpretation also has strengths. In this scenario, the Rich Man’s sadness is based on his realization that – wow! – he has to give up an awful lot in order to follow Jesus. His wealth, his power, his unfettered access, his control, and – maybe most importantly - his independence. In this second scenario, though, he gets over himself, is obedient to the demands that Jesus places before him, and then, freed of all that excess, he returns to Jesus, ready to grow as a disciple.

To let go of independence and claim dependence upon Jesus – that is the tough thing to do. In this second scenario, it is hard for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom of God because there is so much more to let go of, so much more to get over. But, in this second scenario, the Rich Man chooses the difficult thing.

It’s a powerful image, and in my mind, is even more powerful than the first scenario. The first scenario is obvious – it’s easy. In that ending, the Rich Man does the expected. It’s in this second scenario where the Rich Man surprises us by taking the obstacle between him and Jesus, and turning into an opportunity to help others.

The Apostle Paul had many obstacles to following Jesus. He was a Jew, but not only that, he was a Jew that persecuted Christians horribly, even to the point of death. During his dramatic conversion, God opened his heart, so that he could let go of all that kept him from following Jesus fully. He became one of the strongest leaders in the early Church, one of the loudest voices in proclaiming the good news of Jesus Christ.

Paul wrote this to the Philippians: “…whatever gains I had, these I have come to regard as loss because of Christ. More than that, I regard everything as loss because of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things, and I regard them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but one that comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God based on faith.”

It is God who creates faith in us, but we are the ones who live out the faith. We are the ones who – led by the Spirit – see what obstacles lie between us and Jesus, and then – with God’s help – we take steps to move those obstacles or use them in a different way.

What is the obstacle between you and Jesus today? Is it something tangible, like  possessions, or money, or some other thing? Or is the obstacle something intangible, like fear, or anger, or disappointment? What is the obstacle between you and Jesus today?

How is God leading you to choose a different ending that what is easy or expected? How is God leading you to experience the struggle of letting go, in order that you might grow as a disciple of Jesus? How is God leading you?

Amen.

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