Mark 10: 21
21 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.’
A man has come to Jesus and asked what he must do to inherit eternal life. He approached Jesus as , “Good teacher.” Jesus corrected him and points out that only God is good. Was the man looking for God or for a teacher? Are we looking for God or for a manual to make our lives work better? Good question for Lent.
Jesus points to the Ten Commandments that were generally accepted as the rules for the “good life and good person.” The man thinks he has lived a “good” life, obeying the law. Mark then says that Jesus looks at this man and loves him. I would like to think Jesus recognized a person who was truly trying hard to do life right and seeking to please God. So what is wrong?
Perhaps the answer lies in reflecting on the greatest commandment as found in Matthew 22:37-39,
37 He said to him, ‘“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: “You shall love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22: 37-39)
Jesus sees that the man is truly trying to love God but realizes he has a blind spot. Jesus tells the man to sell his goods, give the money to the poor and follow Jesus. There are two sides to the coins of life. We are in relationship to God and we are in relationship to our “neighbor.” Lent is a time when we reflect on both sides of the coins of life. I do not think Jesus was saying we all need to give away our wealth to inherit heaven but he does challenge us reflect on our priorities and our true love. If Jesus were to look at us today through loving eyes, what might he encourage us to evaluate? Lord help me to be honest with myself about my priorities.
On the Way to Wonder 