Lent: 4/2/09
April 2, 2009
Exodus 7:25-8:19
2 Corinthians 3:7-18
Mark 10:17-31
“That One Thing”
Jesus, looking at him, loved him and said, “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.” When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions. – Mark 10:21-22 (NRSV)
Imagine for a moment, that you were the recipient of the loving look of Jesus. Imagine that you were blessed in hearing that there is but one thing that you lack that keeps you from following Jesus and becoming his disciple. Imagine that there is just one thing that keeps you on the outside of the kingdom. There is just one think to be dropped, and then you could pass with ease through that narrow gate into eternal paradise? How exciting would that be? Just one thing really! What would you do? Think about it know, what would you really do? Not what do you want to think you would do, or want to do, or think that you aught to want to do, but what would you really do?
What if that one thing was the every essence of what you think you are? What if that one thing was your only security and hope in the world? What if that thing was culmination of years of sacrifice or a gift from a loved one? What if that one thing was the only thing that made you feel special or unique or loved or safe or religious? Would you throw it down and dash in, never looking back? Or would you stand there looking into the eyes of Jesus repeatedly putting it down and taking it back up?
It seems like such an easy answer. It seems so obvious and simple. The numbers just add up every time and the profit margin is so enormous and the cost is so small. But then we try to imagine ourselves without our one thing and we just cannot imagine ourselves in heaven without it.
What if it were just one thing that you needed to obtain? What if there was only one new skill, one new trick, or one new habit that needs to be learned before you could join the inner circle of Jesus’ disciples? What would you do? What if it cost you your friends? What if it cost your free time or ability to go or do what you wanted all the time? What I it cost you your anger or hate or fear or old hurts? What would you do? Certainly the treasures of heaven are worth whatever is needed to gain them regardless of the cost. Surely Jesus would not say such a thing on a whim or out of cruelty, it must be true. It must be something within your power to do. What would you do?
How tightly our sin clings to us! How powerful is the control of our possessions over us! How treasured are our cherished wounds! It makes no sense, there is no logic, there is nothing but madness in the refusal to let go or take up one thing to inherit the kingdom, but the world is filled with shocked and grieving people who walk away each day. Oh the horror and tragedy and needlessness of it all.
Parents trade off their children for drugs. Men trade off families for a moment of excitement. Women trade off new relationships for old hurts and wounds. Children trade off bright futures for ease and convenience. Churches turn away new families to preserve ghost filed pews. How greatly are we to be pitied above all that have walked the earth, because of those one things that are more precious to us than God! What is it about us that we continually choose broken things and tiered ideas over anything else, over everything else. Why would be rather be right than together? Why would we rather die on our own terms than to live by Gods?
Today we consider our one thing. Imagine that was all there was between you and Jesus. Just that one little thing! Today might just be the day that you will put it down and leave it there. Today might just be the day that you are able to pick it up and suffer the weight. By the look in his eyes, it seems that Jesus is willing to help you. You know it is true. Isn’t it at least worth trying again? Today might just be the day.
Lord in your mercy, look upon your people with pity and love.
We love you, but we fear others more.
We long to be with you, but not without our one thing.
We need you to live, but we cannot imagine living without the one things, which are killing us.
We are slaves to our behaviors that are stronger than our faith.
Even when the evidence is present before our eyes, we cling to our old busted truths.
Even as the kingdom is at hand, we cannot drop the one thing we carry to receive it.
Lord have Mercy, let this be the day!
Christ have Mercy, let this be the hour!
Lord have Mercy, let this be moment that I choose you over that one damnable thing forever! Amen.
