Wealth & Greatness
Not easily conducive with the Kingdom of God
Mark 10:23-45
Our passage begins today with Jesus’ warning regarding wealth and the Kingdom of God and ends with his response to two disciples asking for positions of honor therein.
Short story shorter: Wealth and greatness are not Kingdom values.
In between, Jesus affirms that discipleship comes at a cost, but ends with great reward.
Mark 10:23-45
Looking around, Jesus said to his disciples, “It will be very hard for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom!” His words startled the disciples, so Jesus told them again, “Children, it’s difficult to enter God’s kingdom! It’s easier for a camel to squeeze through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter God’s kingdom.”
They were shocked even more and said to each other, “Then who can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them carefully and said, “It’s impossible with human beings, but not with God. All things are possible for God.”
Peter said to him, “Look, we’ve left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “I assure you that anyone who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, or farms because of me and because of the good news will receive one hundred times as much now in this life—houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and farms (with harassment)—and in the coming age, eternal life. But many who are first will be last. And many who are last will be first.”
Jesus and his disciples were on the road, going up to Jerusalem, with Jesus in the lead. The disciples were amazed while the others following behind were afraid. Taking the Twelve aside again, he told them what was about to happen to him. “Look!” he said. “We’re going up to Jerusalem. The Human One will be handed over to the chief priests and the legal experts. They will condemn him to death and hand him over to the Gentiles. They will ridicule him, spit on him, torture him, and kill him. After three days, he will rise up.”
James and John, Zebedee’s sons, came to Jesus and said, “Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask.”
“What do you want me to do for you?” he asked.
They said, “Allow one of us to sit on your right and the other on your left when you enter your glory.”
Jesus replied, “You don’t know what you’re asking! Can you drink the cup I drink or receive the baptism I receive?”
“We can,” they answered.
Jesus said, “You will drink the cup I drink and receive the baptism I receive, but to sit at my right or left hand isn’t mine to give. It belongs to those for whom it has been prepared.”
Now when the other ten disciples heard about this, they became angry with James and John. Jesus called them over and said, “You know that the ones who are considered the rulers by the Gentiles show off their authority over them and their high-ranking officials order them around. But that’s not the way it will be with you. Whoever wants to be great among you will be your servant. Whoever wants to be first among you will be the slave of all, for the Human One didn’t come to be served but rather to serve and to give his life to liberate many people.”
Prayer
God,
As we begin this new day, we reflect on the words of Jesus that challenge our perspectives on wealth, greatness, and discipleship. Help us to release our attachments to earthly treasures and ambitions, recognizing that true abundance is found in following you wholeheartedly.
Give us courage to embrace the cost of discipleship, knowing that the sacrifices we make for your sake will be rewarded rightly.
Guide us with humility and servant hearts, reminding us that greatness in your Kingdom is found in selfless love and sacrificial service to others. Keep us from seeking positions of honor, but even as positions of power come to us, help us leverage them in Kingdom ways. Give us all opportunities to serve, following the example of Jesus.
By your spirit & in Christ,
Amen.