Exodus 20:1-17; 1Corinthians 1:18-25; Matthew 19:16-26; Psalm 19
March 7, 2021
Tessa Nussbaum
Good Morning,
This year during Lent we are being asked to reflect on what’s important to us, what we prioritize in our lives and what we value – another way of saying this is that we’re being asked to think about what we treasure.
The Gospel reading this week comes from Matthew. In this reading the rich young ruler asks Jesus how to have eternal life. But Jesus keeps reorienting the young ruler to focusing on how he’s living in the present. The young ruler asks, “what must I do to enter into eternal life?” and Jesus answers, “you must follow the commandments to enter into life.” It seems significant that he doesn’t say eternal life. Jesus tells the man to give away his possessions to store up treasures in heaven (perhaps talking about the future) but then again ends by calling the young ruler back to the present by saying, “and then follow me.”
As we look at this passage it seems clear that Jesus is calling us to prioritize, or treasure, our relationships and how we treat people. The question, Jesus tells the young ruler, isn’t about eternal life. The question is about entering into life right here and now. The commandments that Jesus tells the man to follow are about this life. “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The commandments are about how we live with elders and children and neighbors, how we respect our stuff and other people’s stuff. Jesus is talking about the already-not-yet reality of the kingdom of God – we are both already living in the kingdom of God and called to live in ways that bring it forth.
Twice in this story, Jesus alludes to the idea that no matter what the man does, he’s not going to be perfect, he’s not going to get it all right. The young ruler asks Jesus: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And Jesus replies, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” and “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Jesus directs the person to rely on God and God’s directions. For me it’s a relief to hear that we are not meant to rely upon on our own strength and good deeds; that Jesus already knows these won’t suffice, but that with God all things are possible. What Jesus does invite us to, is focusing on our relationship with him. “Come follow me.” While there are many different ways to store treasures in heaven – what Jesus wants us to focus on is living well in our current reality. He calls us to prioritize keeping God at the very center. He wants us to treat those around us well.
As we enter into this week I invite you to reflect on this question, “What are things you do, or practises you have, that help you keep God at the center of your life?”
In this passage, this is there an interesting interplay between the rich young ruler and Jesus. The rich young ruler is intent on finding out how he can get into heaven. But Jesus is more interested in talking how to live our earthly lives. He’s seems to suggest that the way we treat others is prime contributor to having eternal life. He says, the way we act in this life determines what treasures in heaven. He call us to focus our energy and time on treating others well. “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
I’d like to read I’m going to read the passage from Matthew again. As I read it, I want you to ask yourself whether Jesus is talking about I eternal life or about how to live this life?
Lent 3: MATTHEW 19:16–26 - Finding what is Good
- “Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.”
- • He has this hunch there’s something else. Something more. He says, “Tell me why I’m following all the rules, and I’m not content. Explain to me how I can be successful and so unsettled. If you’re so wise, Jesus, tell me how it is I can do what God asks of me, and still not be sure what my life is for, or trust that at the end, any of this will have been worth it.”
And Jesus says, “Ah. So, you’re ready for more than just the rules.”
JESUS INVITES THE MAN TO A NEW WAY.
- The question, Jesus tells him, isn’t about eternal life. The question is about entering into life right here and now. The commandments—the rules to which Jesus directs the man—are about this life. The commandments are about how we live with elders and children and neighbors, how we respect our stuff and other people’s, how we keep God at the very center.
- WHAT JESUS IS INVITING HIM TO IS A DIFFERENT KIND OF ORDERING: A LIFE THAT RESPONDS NOT TO SCRIPT BUT TO SPIRIT, A LIFE THAT RESPECTS THE RULES BUT FOLLOWS WHERE THE TRUE TREASURE—THE PURSUIT OF THE ONE GOOD GOD—LEADS.
- What makes you feel whole and complete as a person? When do you feel the most whole?
- What are things you do or practises you have that help you keep God at the center of your life?
In the Matthean text the periscope seems to center around specific themes directly
reflected by the central though of the man verse Jesus’ response. The man in Matthew asks about “having” eternal life (Matthew 19:16) beginning a repetitive progression that is repeated in Matthew 19:21 concerning “having” treasure in heaven and “having” possessions (Matthew 19:22) (Robbins, 2007). The term “having” refers to “to possess, as something that is connected with, or belongs to one” (Webster, 1828) denoting the man was concerned with owning something to add to his vast possessions. Another progression is Jesus progression from “being good” (Matthew 19:16-17) to being “perfect” (Matthew 19:21) as Jesus introduces what the man Exegesis 4 is concerned with and progresses to what He is concerned with. The significance of the progression speaks to the method in which God works within a life by bringing the individual from where they are to where He wants them to be.is concerned with and progresses to what He is concerned with.
The significance of the progression speaks to the method in which God works within a life by bringing the individual from where they are to where He wants them to be.
Man’s focus (Matthew 19:16) God’s punishment
Jesus’ focus (Matthew 19:17) God’s mercy
Man’s focus (Matthew 19:18) God’s punishment
Jesus’ focus (Matthew 19:18-19) God’s love
Man’s focus (Matthew 19:20) God’s punishment
Jesus’ focus (Matthew 19:21) God’s mercy