With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible

 

 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."  Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were astonished at His words.  But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."  Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

 

- Mark 10:17-31 

 

Yesterday we read that Jesus and the disciples departed from Capernaum and came to the region of Judea by the other side (east) of the Jordan.  And multitudes gathered to Him again, and as He was accustomed, He taught them again.  The Pharisees came and asked Him, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife?" testing Him.  And He answered and said to them, "What did Moses command you?"  They said, "Moses permitted a man to write a certificate of divorce, and to dismiss her."  And Jesus answered and said to them, "Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.  But from the beginning of the creation, God 'made them male and female.'  'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'; so then they are no longer two, but one flesh.  Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate."  In the house His disciples also asked Him again about the same matter.  So He said to them, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery against her.  And if a woman divorces her husband and marries another, she commits adultery."  Then they brought little children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.  But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."  And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them.   

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God."  My study Bible notes that this man does not come to test Jesus, but rather to seek advice from one whom he considers to be no more than a good Teacher.  Jesus' response is not to deny that He is God, but rather designed to lead the rich man to this knowledge.  

"You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'  And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth."   My study Bible comments that formal observance of commandments does not make one righteous before God.  It says that this man had an earnest desire for eternal life, and sensed that he still lacked something; therefore, he continues to press Jesus for the answer.  

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack:  Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me."  But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.  It's very important that Mark tells us that Jesus loved him.  Therefore His next word to the man, to "sell whatever you have and give to the poor," and have treasure in heaven, and to take up the cross, and follow Him, is a product of Christ's love.  In Matthew's Gospel, Jesus tells him to do these things "if you want to be perfect."   To "be perfect," my study Bible comments, one must willing sacrifice all and follow Christ.  Nothing is gained unless this is a sacrifice which is given freely.  The specifics of how one follows Christ will be different for each person, it says.  As wealth had such a great grip on this rich man (and his identity), his only hope was to sell and give away all of his possessions.  In the commentary of St. John Chrysostom on the similar passage in Matthew, he tells us that to give away possessions is the least of Christ's instructions here.  To follow Christ in all things is a far greater and more difficult calling.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"  And the disciples were astonished at His words.  But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!  It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?"  But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."  My study Bible comments that various interpretations have been suggested for the impossible image of a camel going through the eye of a needle.  For example, that the word was not camel, but "rope" (which sounds similar in Aramaic); or that the eye of a needle was a city gate through which a camel might barely squeeze if it were first unloaded of all of its baggage, which symbolizes wealth.  In the Talmud there is the expression "for an elephant to go through the eye of a needle."  Whatever this phrase is referring to, it shows the impossibility of salvation for those who are attached to riches.  This is clearly evidenced, my study Bible says, by the disciples' response, "Who then can be saved?"  But by God's grace, what is impossible for human beings can come to pass.  

Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You."  So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life.  But many who are first will be last, and the last first."  My study Bible comments that Christ is not commanding believers to divorce spouses and abandon children.  St. John Chrysostom says that this refers to keeping faith under persecution even if it means to lose one's family.  It also means to accept that unbelieving family members may cut off ties because of the believer's faith (see 1 Corinthians 7:12-16).  Believers are promised a hundredfold of houses and relatives not in an earthly sense, but rather in a spiritual sense -- the fathers and mothers of the Church, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and houses of worship and fellowship.

What do possessions mean to this man?  Certainly the disciples understand the great difficulty of salvation as reflected in today's story, as indicated by their question to Jesus, "Who then can be saved?"  The disciples, also, would go on to leave family and possessions behind for the sake of the gospel.  But this young man, whom we're told Jesus loved, is clearly tied to his possessions in a way that makes it impossible for him to think about parting from them.  Perhaps his whole identity, including that of his family and place in society, is likely bound up in those possessions, as we might assume they take the form of inherited wealth and property.  He is sincere, but the sacrifice Christ asks of him is something from which he doesn't want to part, and is dear enough so that he cannot make this decision.   If we look with a close eye on this text, we see that Jesus is reminding the disciples of words that He's said to them before:  "But many who are first will be last, and the last first."   In Monday's reading, we were told that the disciples were disputing among themselves while they were on the road about who would be greatest in the kingdom which they no doubt expect will be established by Jesus as an earthly kingdom of Israel.  Jesus said to them then, ""If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all."   He then went on to vividly illustrate (in Tuesday's reading) the kinds of sacrifices they would have to be willing to make to be truly great in His Kingdom, and as those who will serve His Church as its leaders.  So, with this statement that "many who are first will be last, and the last first," He's reminding them of the sacrifices it takes to fully enter this Kingdom, and what will characterize those who will be "first" in it.  It is the attitude necessary for those who will be its most prominent members, its greatest and "first."  St. Peter adds a sobering statement that seems to take all of the apostles to the recollection of what their lives are now about, that they have left all and followed Him.  But then Jesus promises the "hundredfold" bounty of the Kingdom, the reality of His promise.  For me, this reality has proven true; although disappointed in "earthly" family or life in many ways, I have found great treasure in the Church, including the joy shared with many brothers and sisters and the love between them which is given by Christ, houses of worship numerous and more beautiful than one could have imagined, the glory of the saints and the illuminated beauty of holy books and holy art, and all the richness found in the Church in so many ways, so many languages, so many countless believers.  This is the glory of God and the Kingdom that we are given, but it does come with a responsibility, that we are asked to mature in Christ, to be willing to give up the things He wants us to leave behind, including those things that would seem to define our identity, things even that are precious to us.  As He illustrates in Tuesday's reading by speaking about amputation of hand, or eye, or foot, there are things that seem to be so deeply a part of us that they are inseparable, and yet we must decisively leave them behind.  These include selfish habits, those that hurt others, or in the case of this young man, the wealth that so has him in its grip, especially while he is yet unaware of the great joy to be found in faith in Christ.  Jesus does not minimize the difficulty!  We can be assured that He understands what He asks of each of us, and our own struggles in faith.  And yet, He calls us forward with Him, where all things become possible.

The things which are impossible with men are possible with God

Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will be no means enter it."

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God.  You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "  And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.  And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

- Luke 18:15-30

On Saturday, we read that Jesus gave a parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.  This is the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men -- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'   I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."

 Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.  But Jesus called them to Him and said, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God.  Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will be no means enter it."  My study bible says, "The blessing of children by respected rabbis was customary.  Jesus uses the image of the child to convey the ideal of childlike simplicity and humility required to enter the Kingdom."  A priest I heard recently taught that children, in Jesus' time, were thought of quite differently than we in the West think of our children now.  They were very much more disciplined, and a precocious child was not necessarily one seen in light of tolerance.  So, not to forbid the children is something important and notable here.  Children are an image of the eminently teachable, the ones ready for learning and instruction, to forgo their own ways of thinking for something better.  This is a question of natural receptivity to a true Parent, the capacity to "change our minds" and accept a better way.

Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good?  No one is good but One, that is, God."  In Jesus' reply, He gives us an example of the humility my study bible mentions as belonging to those who would enter the Kingdom.  He first points to God the Father, away from Himself as man.  There's a sort of play on a sense of power here:  Jesus is speaking to a ruler, and guides him to the true power of the universe, of justice, of all we think of as good.  This hierarchy must be something a ruler would grasp as an innate sense of his daily life.  And at the same time, the graciousness of Christ is evident.

"You know the commandments:  'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Honor your father and your mother.' "   Again, Jesus defers to proper authority before setting before the man His own commandment in a very personal encounter.  This time, it is the authority of the Law.  We know that Christ is both God and Lawgiver, but He is speaking to this ruler as son of Man, and "Good Teacher" or Rabbi.

And he said, "All these things I have kept from my youth."  So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him, "You still lack one thing.  Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  My study bible notes:  "A rich ruler is challenged by Jesus not only to observe the Ten Commandments but also to sacrifice all things and follow Him.  St. John Chrysostom teaches that because Jesus loved the man (see Mark 10:21), He named these conditions for his particular need."

But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.  And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!  For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."  Let us consider this story in light of the earlier verses, about the children who come to Christ for a blessing.  Children, we said, are those who are highly teachable, ready to learn new things they don't already know.  They can easily "change their minds" -- the literal meaning of the Greek word we translate as "repentance."  Here the attachment to worldly things is in the form of the riches possessed by this ruler.  We remember St. Chrysostom's teaching that Jesus loved this young man, referring to Mark 10:21.  To find his way into the Kingdom as a child is to turn his life toward something else as fulfillment, a different way of life.  In his sorrow, we can see how difficult this command really is.  Jesus' saying about the camel and the eye of the needle illustrates Jesus' understanding of his difficulty.

And those who heard it said, "Who then can be saved?"  But He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."  My study bible notes:  "God's power can save even a rich man.  And those who have turned their backs on riches and forsaken earthly good altogether for the cause of the Kingdom will reap abundant rewards from God."

Today's reading couples a teaching about children and the "mindset" needed for entry into the Kingdom, along with the teachings to a rich ruler.  In my opinion, there are many parallels to study.  There is first of all the humility and "teachability" of children to consider.  They are ready to be taught, to be made into an image in the world.  In this case, we enter into the Kingdom in order to be made into the image of God placed within us at our creation, to learn true God-likeness in order to reflect that image into which we grow more deeply through Christ's leadership and teaching.  Such is the way of entry "as a child," one who is malleable and capable of changing one's mind.  Again, as we note so often in commentary, there is the exchange of one life for another, for acquiring the ways of the Kingdom in exchange for the ways of the world -- our worldly image, for God's image and likeness.  The story of the wealthy ruler becomes, in light of this context, an illustration of Christ's teaching.  The ruler is a young man whom Jesus loves, like a child.  His instruction and discipline is for the young man's good, so that he may grow into the likeness of Creator, the true Parent who wishes to shape the young ruler into His true image, in His name, the true lineage of this Kingdom.    But there must be an exchange, one form of goods in one perspective for another.  And that is the child-likeness that Jesus praises for those who would enter this Kingdom. This is the one thing necessary; in this specific case, it is his goods and riches for treasure in heaven.  For others, this is a metaphor for the things we treasure that stand in our way.   We remember that rebuke and correction come in the context of love, as a true parent for a beloved child.  But that requires a particular mindset on our part.  Can we see ourselves in this light?  Remember, it is Christ, God who comes to us.  Through His graceful condescension, He enters into our lives if we allow it, and helps us to change in the ways He desires.  We don't do this of ourselves.  Can we open the door to God's work in us?  To the Spirit who creates in us a place for the Kingdom, and guides us into "God-likeness?"   As He said, "The things which are impossible with men are possible with God."

It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God." And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Then Peter began to say to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You." So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

- Mark 10:17-31

In yesterday's reading, Jesus discussed divorce, and the system of divorce given by Moses for the "hardness of heart" of the men for whom a simple certificate was all that was necessary to divorce a wife. He spoke of marriage as a union in which two become one flesh - "so they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let not man separate." He then spoke of a little child which He received, rebuking the disciples for trying to keep the child away. "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God. Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it."

Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, "Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God." Christ points, not to Himself in His divine nature, but to God. Speaking as one human being to another, He focuses immediately on what is necessary, the one place we can go to find the Good, the Source of whatever we understand as good. In a sense, it is a reflection of what He has called the first great commandment: to love the Lord God with all our heart, and soul, and mind and strength. In the mystery and depth of this relatedness within us, we learn the good for our lives.

"You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery,' 'Do not murder,' 'Do not steal,' 'Do not bear false witness,' 'Do not defraud,' 'Honor your father and your mother.'" And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth." Next we move to the commandments brought through Moses. What we regard as inspired, or prophesy, follows the inner focus on God. Jesus upholds the value of the Ten Commandments - He honors the Jewish spiritual heritage. He affirms this framework in the quest for righteousness and eternal life.

Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. We are told, most significantly, that whatever Jesus proposes for this man comes out of love for him. Jesus' compassion takes him further in the quest for righteousness with the revelation of yet a new thing, the one thing he lacks. To give up his vast wealth for the kingdom is his requirement, an exchange of one great possession for another, a cultivation of this depth of detachment. To take up the cross for Him is to exchange our worldly life for the one to which He calls us. We don't know what it will require, but for this man the command was to sell all he had and give to the poor. In a sense, we are all called upon to give up all in our lives for Him, for whatever way we can best follow Him -- this is what it is to take up the cross. In this case, the distribution of these goods would go to the "least" or "little ones" among us, in change for "treasure in heaven." Just as we are asked to give up our grievances to God in order to find the best way to deal with them -- so we also give up, in a sense of detachment, the good things we have, in order to find God's treasures for us, a life in the kingdom. This isn't a universal command to poverty, it's a command for this man specifically. But to relinquish worldly goods for God's treasure is in a sense what we are all called to when we place our lives in the hands of God and make the commitment to seek to "follow Him" in all things.

Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God." And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, "Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, "Who then can be saved?" But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible." Perhaps what strikes the disciples most powerfully is the idea that the wealthy -- those at the top of the society, who can make the most contributions to the temple and play the greatest roles -- have a distinct handicap for entry into the kingdom of God. One needn't be wealthy, certainly, to have an over-attachment to money and possessions! But great wealth comes with its own burden in terms of attachment and identity. When the disciples ask, "Who then can be saved?" it may be with the recognition that regardless of status, one may be greatly attached to possessions, and whatever wealth one does possess. But with God, all things are possible. God helps us to come into His kingdom, and teaches us to place all things in His hands, to cultivate and practice a life of detachment. My study bible says, "Riches grip the heart like few other things. When people trust in money more than in God, refusing to return their wealth to Christ, they fail to gain eternal life."

So Jesus answered and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel's, who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time -- houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions -- and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." My study bible affirms, "Discipleship is radical self-denial, a total offering of oneself to God. This implies readiness to give up dear possessions or even relationships that stand in the way of following Christ." What I find essential in this paragraph is the affirmation of the power of God to return to us what we think we have lost. They may come in different forms, we may get blessings we haven't understood or counted upon, but God does return, in this exchange, what we give up. It may simply be in a different context, and in forms we don't expect. "That disciples will receive earthly rewards a hundredfold now in this time is not an absolute promise: countless saints and martyrs were not so rewarded," my study bible says. "However, God has a way of returning and multiplying earthly blessings along with persecutions to faithful men and women according to His will." A life in the kingdom isn't just a tranquil life of reward, but our rewards also come with persecutions. The world will throw at us what it can -- but side by side, we also live in the life of the "treasures of heaven" and whatever blessings we receive from God.

Speaking strictly for myself, I have found it necessary to give up a great deal of things in life, and at the same time -- just like the reading says -- there have been a great deal of blessings and rewards which I feel have come through God's love. I have also felt persecutions which may or may not have come about as a conscious response to my faith. But the promise of these words has rung true for me. Perhaps the most important thing here is the promise that with God, all things are possible. To make our way toward that kingdom may require that we give up all kinds of things we thought we needed, or couldn't do without. It's related to the teaching about giving up an eye or hand or foot in order to enter the kingdom "maimed" -- that this is better than being cast whole into the fire. Whatever we give up for this pearl of great price is worth the effort it may take to get there. Repeatedly we see the gospels asking us for a kind of exchange of one reality for another; we forgo a worldly sense of power or accomplishment or accumulation for a spiritual one. In exchange, we are blessed with things which give life meaning and value, rewards that surpass what we had previously understood. How does this manifest in your life? I can say this has been true in mine, and returned with glimmers of a joy and peace that may surpass worldly understanding. We must also add that to help others in any way we can is a very blessed way to find such joy and peace as well! There are all kinds of ways to give as an expression of the love God shares with us.