Loving God, you offer life in all its fullness through your Son, Jesus Christ, yet sometimes the things of this world get in the way.  Help us today to focus on the one thing that is needful - following your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

    The man who ran up to Jesus and knelt before him in today’s gospel had one thing that he was seeking.  He wanted to know what he needed to do in order to inherit eternal life (Mk. 10:17).  What was he thinking of, exactly?  What did he mean by “eternal life”?  The meaning of the phrase in Greek is quite simply life that has no beginning, or no end, or both.

    For us, too, we are promised eternal life.  John 3:16 - “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.”  So what do you think that this means?  How would you define eternal life?... [answers probably involve heaven] Most people probably think in terms of being with God in heaven.  However, I’m wondering how many of you have ever thought of eternal life as something that begins now and then continues into eternity?...

    There are at least a couple of passages from the gospel of John that invite us to think about what eternal life might mean in the here and now.  John 10:10 is one of my favourite verses, where Jesus says, “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”  He is speaking of those who are part of his flock.  Then later, in a prayer, we hear Jesus say: “This is eternal life, that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (Jn. 17:3).  While eternal life certainly does reach beyond death, it also seems to mean living fully and deeply now, in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

    I am hoping it is safe to assume that this man who came to Jesus is not the only one who seeks such a fully and deeply lived life.  I am hoping it is safe to assume that we would want this kind of life as well.  After all, that is the life for which we were created.  It is the life that God intends for us.  And, it is an inheritance!

    Even the man who comes to Jesus uses this word.  He asks what he needs to do in order to inherit eternal life.  An inheritance is usually something that is given to the children who are part of the family.  You do not normally earn an inheritance or buy an inheritance.  It is a gift from the parents to the children and grandchildren.  However, normally you also need to be part of the family.  In this case, we’re talking about God’s family.  And so, this man who comes to Jesus, or anybody else who wishes to inherit eternal life, needs to become part of the family of God.  As we discover in the rest of the New Testament, this involves being baptized and believing in Jesus Christ.

    However, in the gospel passage that we have heard today, Jesus’ focus is more on what it means to live as members of God’s family.  After all, in an earlier chapter in Mark, Jesus makes it clear that those who do the will of God are his brothers and sisters and family members (Mk. 3:35).  And so, in answer to the question about inheriting eternal life, Jesus points to the ten commandments - especially those commandments that have to do with how we treat other people.

    Interestingly enough, the man who has come to Jesus with this question has kept the commandments.  However, Jesus looks at him with love and tells him that he still lacks one thing.  He needs to sell all that he owns, give it to the poor, and then come and follow Jesus (Mk. 10:21).  And the man goes away grieving because he just can’t do it.

    For this man, his many possessions are a stumbling block that prevents him from following Jesus.  For others in the gospel, their families are stumbling blocks that prevent them from following Jesus.  And for Jesus’ disciples, they have left both family and their livelihoods behind in order to follow Jesus.  

    Thus we discover that living as members of God’s family is not necessarily easy.  It will involve economic justice - sharing our abundance with those who have far less.  It will involve following Jesus above all else and making God’s will more important than what we want or what members of our family want.  It will involve inheriting new brothers and sisters and parents and children (along with persecution) who are part of God’s family as well.  It will involve challenging our assumption that more money and more wealth is the solution to everything.  “How hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” (Mk. 10:24).  “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible” (Mk. 10:27).  

    Ultimately, just as with an inheritance, eternal life and entrance into the kingdom of God are gifts of grace.  Even those who manage to keep all the commandments (assuming that’s even possible!) cannot enter simply on their own merit and by their own power.  And yet, there is this abundant life - even eternal life - that Jesus brings and that God gives even now.

    Imagine a life that is not restricted by the usual boundaries, lived fully and deeply in relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Imagine a life marked by an expansion of consciousness and more and more awareness of God’s presence and power.  Imagine a life lived with open hands and an open heart.  Is this what eternal life might look like, even now?

    And, should we be among those who have never experienced this, what might be the “one thing” that is keeping us from this gift of eternal life?  What might the one thing be that we need to clear out of the way because it is a stumbling block for us?  What is the one thing that we lack in order to enter into kingdom living here and now?

    Jesus, looking at us, loves us, and invites us to enter into life in all its fullness.  May the Christ-life continue to grow in us throughout this Lenten journey and beyond, through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

Lent 1 (NL 2)                                Mark 10:17-31
February 14, 2016
St. Luke’s Zion Lutheran Church
Pastor Lynne Hutchison

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