A Word from Joel - October 16, 2024
“He said to him, ‘Teacher, I have kept all these since my youth.’ 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 10:20-22 While on his way to Jerusalem, a man runs up to Jesus and says, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” As a good Rabbi, Jesus answers the question with a question, “Why do you call me good?” This is a great question. Do I say Jesus is good because of how he loves? Is it because he’s made in the divine image? Or do I call Jesus good because I want something from him? In the case of this man, it seems to be the latter. He wants Jesus to ensure him that he’s on the path to the sweet by and by, and I don’t think he’s alone in that. How many people consider themselves Christians just to ensure they are on God’s good list? If this is what Christianity is about, then we are using Jesus to get what we want.
Jesus’ question is sincere: why do you call me good? Jesus continues by saying that no one is good but God alone, which is another way of saying that all goodness comes from God. In Genesis 1, God calls all creation good. There’s no hierarchy of goodness with some at the top and the rest of us reaching. God’s goodness is in all of us. It is unshakeable, and when we lose sight of that, we start thinking some of us are worthier than others, which leads us away from connection and belonging.
Jesus then directs the man’s attention the commandments concerning our connection and responsibility to each other, to which he responds, “Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth.” Perhaps this man overestimates his own righteousness. He may be naïve and proud, but Jesus doesn’t accuse him of that. In fact, Mark tells us that Jesus looked at him and loved him. This is the one and only time in Mark’s Gospel that we are told that Jesus loves someone. Of course, he demonstrates love to many, but it is only to this man that we are told Jesus sees and loves. That is this man’s hope. Even though he is unable to let go of his wealth, he remains seen and loved by Christ, and that is why we can hope for this man and for ourselves. Our hope is not in our ability to keep the commandments or to let go of our attachments. Our hope is that we are seen by a God who knows our weaknesses better than we do and loves us just the same. Beloved, you are unshakably good, not because of what you do but because of who you are—a child of God made in the divine image. Rest in that good news, and be free to live generously.
Jesus’ question is sincere: why do you call me good? Jesus continues by saying that no one is good but God alone, which is another way of saying that all goodness comes from God. In Genesis 1, God calls all creation good. There’s no hierarchy of goodness with some at the top and the rest of us reaching. God’s goodness is in all of us. It is unshakeable, and when we lose sight of that, we start thinking some of us are worthier than others, which leads us away from connection and belonging.
Jesus then directs the man’s attention the commandments concerning our connection and responsibility to each other, to which he responds, “Teacher, I have kept all of these since my youth.” Perhaps this man overestimates his own righteousness. He may be naïve and proud, but Jesus doesn’t accuse him of that. In fact, Mark tells us that Jesus looked at him and loved him. This is the one and only time in Mark’s Gospel that we are told that Jesus loves someone. Of course, he demonstrates love to many, but it is only to this man that we are told Jesus sees and loves. That is this man’s hope. Even though he is unable to let go of his wealth, he remains seen and loved by Christ, and that is why we can hope for this man and for ourselves. Our hope is not in our ability to keep the commandments or to let go of our attachments. Our hope is that we are seen by a God who knows our weaknesses better than we do and loves us just the same. Beloved, you are unshakably good, not because of what you do but because of who you are—a child of God made in the divine image. Rest in that good news, and be free to live generously.
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