05 December 2007

The Rich Young Man - Love


        The Mark passage states that Jesus “loved him” (Mark 10.21). Yet at the same time, the young gent’s contribution to the story ends in his choosing to walk away... and Jesus letting him. Huh?
        Part of my problem (yes, they are legion) is that i’ve been trained quite well in youth ministry. Never, ever, leave a youngin’ free to walk away completely from the ministry. There is always follow-up, both the straightforward and sneaky kind, to make sure that every ounce of energy is exhausted in an attempt to fully reach out to meet someone where they are at (we’re talking about needs here, don’t i have an obligation to meet another’s needs?).
        But Jesus let’s him walk away. There is no running after him, no shouting after him, no voicemails, no emails, nada. how could Jesus both “love him” and let him walk away?
        The reality of this really strikes home. So often when we receive responses that are less than enthusiastic we start to back-pedal. Changing language, technique, even practice in hopes of being more relevant, cultural or endearing.
        Yet Jesus sticks to his guns. There is no watering down, no easing the transition. He could have said “just kidding, all you need to start with is your bank account” or “really, that’s asking a lot today, especially in front of everybody. so why don’t you take some time to think about it and come back with an answer later.” Jesus says nothing more than what has already been said. He didn’t even say “forget about all of it, just start with 10%” (ouch). The response to Jesus sure ain’t cushy...

2 comments:

  1. i think the rich young man needed to want Jesus more than safety...and Jesus desired the same. Other wise, what good are empty gestures and "love" full of resentment?

    i think that if Jesus let him walk away it's so that whenever that man came back, if he came back, there would be more joy in it.. or something like that for which the words escape me.

    besides,what good are relationships where we are not most honest about who we are and where we're at? i think that truth allows the Truth to meet us in a powerful way.

    i don't think that's a complete thought yet but that's what i think as i read this......

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  2. but my real question is still: how much must we radically change our understanding of love in order to incorporate allowing a response such as jesus did? how do we move from a love that projects our interests and desire onto the life of another to one that protects the sanctity of that which sets us apart from all of creation - freedom of will?

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