Strained Camel Soup

From ReverendFun

Today's Gospel reading is Mark 10:17-31 which contains the story of the man with many possessions who asked Jesus,

"What must I do to inherit eternal life?" 

He then got a "tough love" answer,

"Go, sell what you own, and give (many heard the word "money" inserted here) to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."

This message was not meant just for that one man,

 'Then Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were perplexed at these words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 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.’

No, your smartphone cannot get you into the kingdom of God.

They were greatly astounded and said to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’

Indeed, how many of us have given up all of our possessions? We live in a time when even those the government classifies as poor are probably wealthier than most, just look at the obesity problem we have among the poor today. There is a certain universal condemnation in Jesus' words that tell us that he is not just talking about the wealthiest.

What hope then for those of us in wealthy nations?

Jesus looked at them and said, ‘For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.’

The God who created heaven and Earth most certainly can do anything. Thankfully, he sent his only Son so that all who believe in him might have eternal life. That may sound impossible, but it is true. Still, it raises questions,
 

 Peter began to say to him, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you.’ Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the good news, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this age—houses, brothers and sisters, mothers and children, and fields, with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.’ 

Wait a second! On the one hand we are to leave everything to follow Jesus, but on the other hand, we are to be blessed with some wealth in this age. I can see where some might mistake this as a "prosperity Gospel". Yes, these things may come, but along with them will come persecutions.

It seems that we can't win for losing.

I say, "I want it all!"

Jesus says, "Care for a bowl of strained camel soup?"