This really seemed – like just another one of those “silly tests” or perhaps “another plot” – to attempt to “trick him.” …To bring him down… To entrap him in his own words…To cause him to fall and to falter…to totally discredit him…and to lose face!
You have to “give it to Jesus” – he was a good listener. He heard “what” was being said. He listened intently.
Mark simply says, he was on the way…which we know is “Evangelistic shorthand,” for “on his way to Jerusalem.”
It also means to say – that he was “on his way” doing “that” which he seemed to always be doing… turning everything upside down and topsey turvey. …Working towards gender equality, open table fellowship, help for the poor, hierarchical inversion, and affirmation of the dignity of all.
This was just “pure Jesus” – doing his thing.
But “on the way,” he is interrupted.
A young man – runs up and falls down or kneels before Jesus. He shows that he has enthusiasm for Jesus and his ministry. His first words are a little bit suspicious, maybe even…mighty suspicious.
From his humble position he calls Jesus “good”…or “good teacher.”
Usually a little flattery goes a long way…but apparently, not so with Jesus.
There was a problem. No person described in Mark’s gospel is ever called “good.” But Jesus is. Problem-Houston.
So Jesus plays the game. Why do you call me “good?” No one is good accept God, Jesus responds.
You aren’t going to entrap me, sorry dude, this isn’t your day. Jesus was probably thinking of the ancient Schema. “No one is good-except one, God.”
“Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One.” Every male child in Israel could recite these words.
To say anything else would have been controversial and suicidal. Besides that, to accept such words without comment would have been – to bring shame to Jesus for thinking — a little too much of himself!
Jesus was simply “covering his butt.”
When he finally perceived the guy was ok…Jesus continued to listen…and to hear him out…It was a normal kind of “rabbinic question!” “What do I have to do to inherit eternal life?”
No trap here…just a young man inquiring…asking a legitimate-serious question.
So Jesus checks his knowledge of the law or the Torah…the Law of Moses.
Start with the commandments, what do you think? Jesus asks…
The man knew his stuff. He knew the law…and on top of it, he said, he had kept them all since his youth.
He was holy, he was righteous…he too, was on “a path” or “a journey” exploring things – similar to Jesus’ own journey.
And Jesus “loved him.” He loved his sincerity. He loved his honesty. He loved his chutzpah.
You do realize – that this is the only person in the Synoptic Gospels of Mark, Matthew and Luke that Jesus is said to have loved.
Only this one man. …This guy who was on his own “spiritual-religious journey or quest…”
Another thing you should probably know is that (Jews at the time) believed that only Moses and Abraham – had ever kept the law – perfectly.
Jesus had to love this guy. He was seriously on “a religious quest.” He was someone who could and would seriously wrestle with God and with his faith. He was almost like “a Jacob-figure of old.”
So, Jesus challenges him. He wants this young man to follow him; he wants this young man to join his group of students. Jesus desires to teach him…and to be his rabbi and personal teacher.
So he perceives that one thing is lacking. Get up, sell what you have and give to the poor and follow me. It was a simple enough command.
But the young man “was sad” at this word – because he had “abundant possessions.” He was unwilling to give up all those things that he had acquired.
His things seemingly meant more to him than the religious quest. He could not part…he could not give up his stuff…he was unwilling to do so.
For some people getting and acquiring is more important than giving and sharing.
What kind of an individual are you?
Amen.