13/10/24
Trinity 20
Hebrews 4:12-end
Mark 10:17-31
Our lectionary readings this morning remind us that God is a God of change. In Hebrews, the word of God is living and active, it is meant to bring change to our lives, sharply and piercingly. The word of God will expose and judge the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. We are to turn away from ourselves to the throne of God to find grace to help in our time of need. Mark’s Gospel tells the story of the young man who comes to Jesus potentially looking for change. His apparent earnestness, maybe an expectation of an easy answer is dissolved when he does not receive what he thought he wanted or maybe deserved. He leaves Jesus shocked and unwilling to part with possessions. What the man who had everything really needed was nothing.
How many of you are good with change? Some might embrace it with enthusiasm while others might be slower to embrace. In my previous life as a nurse I learned early that things can change quickly; a quick response could mean life or death. This is similar to being the Lead Chaplain at Gatwick where flexibility and adaptability are essential.
Not all change is bad or negative. Sometimes change is actually a very good thing although we may not see it at the time. I also find those things I want to change; never seem to.. And the things that I do not want to change; always do!
I had a conversation this past week with a colleague about the changes that Covid and lockdown brought to our lives. Some people have recovered and others have not. We are still processing the effects and often the trauma brought about the rapid changes we all experienced.
The story of the young man and Jesus appears in all three Synoptic Gospels which indicates it is important. It asks challenging questions about the attainment of eternal life, what does God’s goodness mean, how do we enter the kingdom of heaven and who can be saved. It provides a look into the upside down kingdom of God.
This young man often gets cast as being greedy, selfish, unwilling to give up his possessions for the sake of Jesus. We try to make him look worse than the rest of us (who also have many possessions). This young man is the only person in Mark’s Gospel whom Jesus is said to love. Think about that for a moment; the one who runs to Jesus and then goes away grieving at the thought of giving it all up is one that Jesus loved.
Jesus does not go after him either. He does not plead or beg him or make it any easier for him. Now Jesus could have gone a few ways with this young man’s question of how to have eternal life. It would have been easy for Jesus to secure a new convert. ‘Great!’ Jesus could have said ‘come on! You already follow the commandments, you’re already calling me ‘good’ so you must know who I am because only God is good. You’re in!’
Jesus could have also worked him in more slowly, easing the young man into the values of God’s kingdom. ‘How about you writing a small cheque to charity this year? Nothing scary – just a token?’
However Jesus is not interested in convenience or comfort. That is what I/we may be concerned about. Remember that Jesus loved him and because he loved him and said the truthful thing, the hard and unwanted thing, Jesus knew the young man’s excitement would disappear on the spot. “Sell what you own, give to the poor and follow me.’
This was not what the young man wanted to hear and so he goes away shocked and grieving. This was not the change he was looking for! He was probably shocked because he considered his wealth an entitlement; symbol of worldly accomplishment and of God’s favour. He seems to be after life in its fullness as we all are. Maybe he thought that he could buy his way to eternal life by observing a special commandment.
Jesus welcomes his desire but also knows his weakness, his attachment to possessions. This is probably why he invites him to give it all to the poor so that his treasure and his heart will be in heaven and not on earth. But the young man decides (as far as we know) to hang on to his wealth which will never bring him happiness or eternal life.
What about the Church? We have our own hang-ups too. The Church of England has faced huge changes in the last few years which for an organisation that is notoriously slow and often resistant to change has been a challenge. Things like Living in Love & Faith (same-sex marriage), the safeguarding inquiries, power struggles and financial matters make the headlines. Are we really representing the Kingdom on earth?!
On this Dedication Sunday where we give thanks and celebrate the work of Emmanuel, how are we doing as a house of prayer? Are we following Jesus as we should? What about the orientation of our hearts? We may be following the commandments but what about storing treasure in heaven? The future of Emmanuel is not very clear and we need to pray about this. Where is God calling us to go?
For St Nicholas: we have found a person to help sort out our finances. We give thanks to PC for his service over many years. Please pray for them in the season of change and transition. Can we find new ways to be generous in our giving? This is not just about taking a few bags off the camel to lighten the load. This is about orientation of the heart to the work of the church; ensuring a future that is bright, a church that is open and welcoming to the people of Charlwood.
If we only look at the bank account or the church building (both of which can be anxiety-producing exercises) it will never work. We need to look at something bigger, beyond us. We need God to lead and guide us in our mission, our giving, and in our love for each other. In any and all instances we need to approach the throne of grace and seek God’s mercy and help and then be obedient to what is being required. Can I ask you to pray for the plans for Emmanuel and St Nicholas? For the people who faithfully serve, for our finances, for the impact on the community around us.
It might seem like a big ask at this time. Everyone is struggling in some way or another; a number of our friends have been in hospital recently, many people may be stressed by the end of winter fuel payments or other changes in finances. We might relate to the words of Peter who passionately lays it out for Jesus, ‘look at what we gave up to follow you!’
It was not lost on Jesus what had been given up in order to follow him and all will be made good according to him. In this season of change, God is offering us new opportunities. Following Jesus will challenge us to lifetimes of change where we are invited to encounter God in new ways apart from tradition, memory and resting on history.
Like the young man, we might want more from God but may not want to give up what God wants us to. We might choose to hang on to the familiar even when it does not bring us happiness or eternal life because it is comfortable.
Are we willing to risk being disappointed with the answer God gives and choose his way regardless? Will you continue to follow?
My prayer is that in this coming season of change we will be ready for whatever may come, that we will hold fast to the promises of God and know we can approach the throne of grace when help is needed.
