Business 201: read the small print

We were talking about the rich man in Mark 10.  Today has lots of information and even more questions to ponder.

Of course the story is more than the few verses to which I have referred.  This encounter with a rich man is set in Mark's larger story; in chapter 11 Jesus will enter Jerusalem for the last time.  This story is situated within a smaller section of Mark's story which begins with the healing of a blind man (the healing that took two tries) and the healing of Blind Bartimaeus.  One should definitely pay attention to that dynamic.  Is there a 'blindness' in the rich man that needs healing?

So, we are engaging a story which stands in the immediate run up to the climax of Jesus' story.  The rich man interrupts Jesus on a journey - and that journey is to Jerusalem and is near its end.  Since Jesus is aware that his time is short, and certainly Mark is aware that the story is about to take an important turn, this story takes on a new urgency and with that, new meaning.  Jesus has a limited amount of time left to teach his disciples - to prepare them for the cross ahead that they can't even imagine.  These encounters are like the final letters of a dying man; they are especially important.

If you continue reading you learn several things.  First, the rich man turns away grieving for he had many possessions.  Second, Jesus 'looking at him, loved him' (a note that is eliminated from every other telling of this story).  Third, Jesus remarks that it will be very difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  Fourth, the disciples are shocked that the rich won't have priority seating.

The rich man turns away from Jesus.  He is the only person in the entire gospel of Mark who, when invited to follow Jesus, turns away.  Here are two things to ponder.  The Greek word used for 'grieving' or 'sad' has overtones of betrayal.  The man felt betrayed; his expectations were pulled right out from under his feet.  Here's another.  The word 'repentance' or metanoia in Greek means to turn around (that is, turn 180 degrees).  A repentant person turns from the wrong way and turns towards the right way.  But not the rich man - he's got repentance all backwards.  At the end of the story, he is going the wrong way!

Jesus loved him.  In fact, even before the rich man turns away, Jesus 'looking at him, loved him'.  I find this one of many grace filled descriptions of Jesus.  No judgment.  Just love.

Jesus knows how difficult it will be for the wealthy to enter his new kingdom.  They are the winners in this world.  The power of this world works to their advantage; they are comfortable and have the means to mitigate any difficulties that arise.  It is hard to let go of it all and cling only to God, to cling only to the crucified and risen Christ.  Jesus knows.

The disciples don't.  Throughout Mark's gospel, the disciples are incapable of comprehending what Jesus is telling them.  They expect that the Kingdom of God will function much like the kingdom in which they currently live - only they will be the winners in the new rendition.  They cannot conceive of the power of servanthood; they dream of places of glory in Jesus' kingdom.  They truly believe that the rich ones of this world will have the inside track in the next - because that is how it always works.

Who are you in this story?  Do you find yourself clinging to stuff that doesn't connect you with the Divine?  Does your fear of want keep you from making other choices?  Where are your blind spots?

It is good to remember that this is an open ended story.  Who knows what happens a week or a year down the road?  Does the rich man live out his life turned the wrong way?  Do we find the power of servanthood incomprehensible just like the disciples?

That's enough for today; it's exhausting.  Take a moment and listen for the Spirit for this we know - that Jesus looking at him, loved him.....and you too.