On this Twentieth Sunday after Pentecost we will be reading from the Gospel according to Mark. In our Scripture lesson this week, we hear an earnest man approach Jesus with a question (no trick questions or trying to make Jesus offend anyone this time...): what must I do to inherit eternal life? Jesus begins rather simply with a direct reference to the Ten Commandments, but then his guidance to the man (and us) goes deeper...you must rid yourself of the things that create barriers to following God's true intentions. For this man, it is his accumulated wealth. We will reflect on Jesus' teaching and consider how we might examine our own barriers to following Jesus.
Our Scripture passage is found in the Gospel according to Mark. You may find the Scripture lesson by selecting the following link: (Mark 10:17-31).
For continuing study, reflect on these questions (found in the study guide below):
Read the assigned Scripture lesson from the Gospel according to Mark, reflecting on any words or phrases that you especially noticed during your reading. What do you believe this Scripture lesson teaches about the "Kingdom of God?"
Read the "WHAT..." paragraph in the guide below and reflect on the idea of the dependence of people upon God. How do you find yourself looking to God in your life? Jesus asks many different people to do certain things in their life throughout the many stories of the Bible: why do you imagine Jesus asked this particular man to sell EVERYTHING and give the proceeds to the poor?
Read the "WHERE..." paragraph below and reflect further on the idea of dependence on God's grace. As the the story ends between Jesus and the rich man, all we know for certain is that the man was sad because he owned much, but we don't know his ultimate decision in response to Jesus' statement. What do you think the man considered in his reflection of depending totally on Jesus after selling his possessions? How do you think you would respond to Jesus, especially if you were expecting an answer that did not require nearly as much from you and the changes in your life?
Read the "SO WHAT..." paragraph below and reflect on the thoughts in the paragraph; especially imagine yourself as one of Jesus' close disciples as you watch and listen to Jesus and rich man: what might your thoughts be of this encounter? What must someone do to inherit eternal life?
Read the "NOW WHAT..." paragraph below, and spend some time in reflection with the author's statement: "Jesus confronts the man with his weakness, his captivity to possessions that prevents him from living into the full life of the kingdom." Jesus may have asked this rich man to sell everything because his wealth was his obstacle to a meaningful relationship with God. What might be your particular obstacle? How does your church community help people name their obstacles and work to break them down in order to find deeper relationship with God?
コメント