Who Can Do It: Mark 10:26-27
We must simply receive. Honestly, this is one of the hardest things for me. When someone gives a gift, the hardest thing is to honor the gift and just receive it. When someone gives a compliment, the hardest thing is to just receive it. I want to earn it. Or, I want to take the focus off myself and get myself out of the spotlight. But gifts aren’t about me. Gifts are about the gift and are meant to be received.
The disciples’ question is awesome. “Who then can be saved?” There are a couple of ways to take this. Peter and Andrew were fishermen starting their own business, so likely didn’t have a ton of money. James and John, whose father owned his own business with servants, had access to a decent level of money. Don’t forget about Levi (Matthew) who probably had a fair amount of wealth given his occupation as a tax collector. Each category of person could ask the same question from a different perspective.
The poor may hear Jesus’ teaching and worry about generic possibility. After all, wealth brings power. To the poor, the wealthy can do anything they want. If it is hard for the wealthy to access the Kingdom of God, then who can do it?
The middle group may hear Jesus’ teaching and worry about the problem personally. These people have money. They have distractions. They have parts of their life competing with God for our heart’s desire.
The rich may hear Jesus’ teaching and worry about the systemic issues presented. The world teaches us that money is key. Those with money get better access to influence and friends – although I use the word loosely here. The world teaches that money unlocks doors; what Jesus teaches here takes that and flips it on its head.
This is Jesus’ point. He wants these thoughts in our head. We should wonder about who can enter the Kingdom of God. We should wonder if we are giving God top billing. We should wonder about the credibility of the system the world teaches.
Jesus answers each scenario. “It is impossible for humankind, but not for God.” Jesus’ response focuses on God’s action, not ours. God loves the poor every bit as much as the rich; regardless of one’s status in life God can come to us. With respect to the life full of distractions, God will fight for our attention and forgive us when we fail to focus on Him. With respect to the world’s teaching, Jesus’ answer affirms that the world’s system is wrong, plain and simple.
In the end, we cannot enter the Kingdom of God on our own. That’s why, way back in the beginning, John the Baptizer tells us that the Kingdom of God has drawn near. It is not we who enter the Kingdom of God, but the Kingdom of God comes to us. The Kingdom of God wraps around us and embraces us. We must simply receive.
