Shocking News

Mark 10:17-31

When was the last time that you were actually surprised by something Jesus said or did? If you are new to the Christian faith then perhaps you have encountered something recently that actually amazed you. But if you are like me, a life-long Christian raised in a Christian home, it may have been years since Jesus did or said something you didn’t expect. Not so with the rich man from our gospel reading today. “When he heard this, he was shocked and went away grieving, for he had many possessions” (Mark 10:22).

I know that I’m not the first one to say this, but much about our world and our lives has served to “tame” Jesus, to remove the heart and soul of his teachings until it all sounds familiar. At the time he was ministering it certainly wasn’t that way. The things he did and said caused quite a stir. His teachings perplexed many, his healings were a revelation, his miracles were unexpected to say the least. When he appeared after the resurrection his followers were not sure what to believe. Now we come to church on Easter, not to be amazed by the news of a risen Savior, but because that’s what we do. Christmas isn’t so much about the birth of God’s Son as it is an economic indicator of how the next year is going to play out. And when Jesus says sell your possessions, give the money to the poor, and come and follow me, we hardly bat an eye. We’ve heard it before. That’s not really what he meant. There are other ways to explain that.

What has happened to us? Why don’t these things affect us anymore? Is it a lack of faith? Have we become too “sophisticated?” Or have we simply allowed ourselves to be lulled into a spiritual stupor? Whatever the case it’s time to wake up and let the gospel shock and amaze us. Did you hear what he said?! Sell your possessions and give the money to the poor! How can we pass that off as more of the same? The rich man was shocked by what Jesus told him because it completely changed his way of looking at things. I think it’s high time that we all began to look at Jesus differently and to let him surprise, shock, amaze, startle us. Otherwise, what are we doing here?

Prayer: Lord, open our hearts and our minds to your word so that it may surprise us and lead us to new ways of living in your name. Amen.