Lessons Learned
AM Psalm 55 • PM Psalm 138, 139:1-17(18-23)
Deut. 29:2-15 • 2 Cor. 9:1-15 • Luke 18:15-30
Have you ever noticed how many times the disciples have disappointed Jesus? They fall asleep at the most inopportune times; they worry about feeding crowds; they fear stormy water; they compete with each other; they hide after the crucifixion; and so on. In today’s Gospel we see them once again missing the forest for the trees. Here we find Jesus in a crowd of people. The people by all accounts were not unruly or troublesome and some were bringing their children to Jesus for his blessing. For this last act, the disciples “rebuked” them. Can’t you just hear Peter?
Once again Jesus used the disciples’ conduct as a teaching moment. He called the children to him and explained to all in his hearing that if you don’t “receive the Kingdom of God like a little child [you will] never enter it”. And as if to drive his point home he gathered the children in his arms and blessed them (in Mark). I love the juxtaposition of the disciples’ actions and those of Jesus.
Continuing the disciples’ lessons (and ours), we next have the story of a man of means, a good man who had kept the commandments since he was a boy. What he lacked was follow through when Jesus told him to sell everything, give it to the poor and follow him. Mark notes at one point that “Jesus looked at him and loved him,” which I believe speaks volumes about the key message Jesus had for the disciples in this encounter as well as the last one. Jesus laments the trouble we humans have with worldly goods/pleasures. This creates a lot of concern and confusion among the disciples. How can anyone be saved under these circumstances? Calling the disciples children, Jesus explained that being saved and entering the Kingdom of God is not a human endeavor but a Godly one. “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
That last phrase is a comfort to me as a clear expression of God’s mighty love. I know that I too have disappointed Jesus on numerous occasions, sometimes several times a day. Like the man in our story I let worldly pursuits, among other things, cloud my judgment and interfere with my relationship with God. I can identify with the Israelites and their continuing recalcitrance in following God’s guidance highlighted in today’s passage from Deuteronomy. My biggest failure (if we are measuring them) is letting my wants and desires overcome God’s.
God wants what is best for me and for you. Always. But I want what I want, and I am regularly convinced that my desires are right and good. However, when my wants replace what God wants for me, I am wrong. And God always knows when I do. We need go no further that the Collect which often appears at the beginning of worship on Sunday. It is an acknowledgement that our hearts are always fully open to God, and God knows our desires because we have no secrets from God.
Similarly, Jesus knew the man above before he had a chance to respond that he had kept all the commandments. Jesus knew where his heart lay including his struggle with his wealth and yet, as pointed out in Mark, Jesus loved him. That is what is so overwhelming. God’s love for us continues and is unfailing and nothing can separate us from it. Look at the Evening Psalm for today, Psalm 139, my very favorite. It is a perfect, straightforward acknowledgement that God is always with us. “Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?” And I would add, where can we hide from your love?
Today’s readings are rich with lessons. The greatest of them is LOVE.
Written by Dennis McKinnie
...a constant student of God’s will.