Be the Sword

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is 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."

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." -Mark 10:17-27

This has always been a powerful story for me, because I have a special heart for the rich young man. I identify so much with him. He comes to Jesus like I sometimes do--wanting to be good enough, but not wanting to sacrifice too much. I imagine his energy as he ran up, and I contrast it with the sad walk away. This is the part I identify with.

Even though Jesus says no one is good, he still responds that he has kept all the commandments. He was comparing himself to an earthly standard. I find that I do that a lot. My wife catches me doing this often. I will be explaining how I feel about something, and she will simply respond by asking me why it matters what is a normal amount of goodness. Isn't the standard perfection, not just good enough?

When I am surrounded by Scripture, and when I am moved by my sinfulness and God's love to get out of my rut, then I find myself on the opposite, radical extreme. I find myself wanting to move out into the back forty, and only bring two sets of clothes and a pair of shoes, and a few books.... Matthew will probably remember me describing how fun it would be to have hermit Joel living in the woods in a shelter.

But it is hard to stay on the extreme side long, especially isolated. Holding onto Jesus fundamental teaching makes you really feel like you might become the sword he came to bring. And that is frightening because the sword's job isn't one of comfort. But it is one of importance.

Jesus came with difficult teaching, to face a challenge that is impossible for anyone without him. Often enough, we slide into a rich young man lifestyle. But God be with us and help us to remember that that facing impossible challenge is our situation without Christ.