OIA 10.17-31

Observations

• Who: the rich man, Jesus, the 12
• When: as Jesus started on his way
• Where: On the way to Jerusalem
• What: an example of the first being last: wealth is not only of no value to entering the kingdom, but can be a hindrance; Jesus again equates eternal life with entrance to the kingdom of God.
• Connections: Still in the context of Jesus teaching about greatness. Note the references to children and to all things possible to those who believe (9.23); these refer back to the story of Jesus healing the possessed boy.
• Contrasts: impossible/possible; wealth/entering the kingdom; good teacher/impossible task;
• Responses to Jesus: sorrowful, leave; shock and amazement.

Interpretation

• This story is again in the context of the disciple’s argument about greatness that followed Jesus’ second announcement of his coming betrayal, death and resurrection. However in this story Jesus gives two examples of the first being last: the impossibility of the wealthy entering the kingdom; and the impossibility of entering the kingdom by doing the right thing, ie the disciples’ example of having left all.
• The man has everything going for him: he is wealthy; he is righteous; and he has the correct question. He is in the right place at the right time asking the right person the right question. His approach to Jesus in one of humility and respect: he runs up to Jesus and falls before him; this is extremely uncharacteristic of a wealthy middle-eastern Sheik! And on top of all this the man has godly character. And Jesus’ recognizes this character by his look of love, and by his honest reply to the man’s question.
• Jesus is a good teacher, and in his love for us he tells the truth: it is impossible for either the wealthy or the ‘righteous’ to inherit life, to enter the kingdom of God. This is only possible through God!
• In this story we see Mark understanding of discipleship: staying in contact with Jesus, no matter what: proximity to Jesus = discipleship. Again, this is the secret of the Kingdom: keep responding to Jesus.
• Again, as in 10.42-48, Jesus equates life with citizenship in God’s kingdom.
• What is the man’s mistake? Not that he is unable to meet Jesus’ prescription for entering life; in fact in his commentary Jesus emphasizes that this is impossible. His mistake is that he leaves Jesus. He should have, like the disciples, stuck with Jesus even though he did not understand and even though he found Jesus demands impossible to fulfill. When anyone distances themselves from Jesus, from God, they meet the impossibility of entering life.
• The eye of the needle was not an actual gate into Jerusalem. This illustration says just what it says: wealth is no short cut into Jesus’ kingdom.
• In Jesus’ day wealth was seen as a tangible expression of God’s favor and blessing; hence the disciples’ amazement: if those specifically blessed by God cannot enter the kingdom of God, then who can?
• Jesus addresses the disciples distress and amazement in two ways:
• He calls them children! In spite of their arguments about greatness, and their rebukes to the parents bringing children, and their exclusivity, Jesus none the less identifies the disciples with those receiving the kingdom as children! How is this possible? Because they have the secret of the kingdom: they are responding to Jesus, even when they get it wrong, even when they don’t understand.
• Jesus addresses Peter’s concern about sacrifice: in losing all for Jesus’ and the kingdom’s sake, we gain everything, both now and forever. Dealing with wealth in this life will create difficulty, persecutions; and the inverted values of the kingdom hold true: what looks important to us is not, in fact may be hazardous; and what seems to be worthless, is incalculably valuable.

Application

• Do we believe Jesus is a good teacher when he asks of us the impossible?
• Do we equate life with citizenship in God’s kingdom?