Mark 10: The Possibility of God in Humanity
Mark 10: The Possibility of God in Humanity
22 But he was sad at this saying and went away sorrowful, for he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
26 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
Humans are not solely possessed of a sinful nature; they embody both good and evil. A person can fall away from their being, yet they are also a reality that yearns for their origin (Eros). The young man in this story is not just a miserly rich man but a wealthy person interested in eternal life. Even a rich young man can inquire about eternal life, reflecting his good nature. The young man's greatest strength and weakness is his wealth. He might give up some of his riches, but not all. A sparrow is just a sparrow, not a stork.
Let's not read the story of the rich young man's question about eternal life simply as a contrast between wealth and poverty. The idea that it is hard for the rich to be saved and easier for the poor, tied to possessions, is like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Jesus addresses the young man as representing all humanity. Just as a camel cannot pass through the eye of a needle, neither can humans. When the young man asked about eternal life, Jesus affirmed it and spoke of God's will. However, Jesus emphasized that humanity, in itself, cannot fulfill God's will. God desires to embrace people into His realm. More directly, God's grand purpose is revealed in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17, where Jesus openly pleads to include people between Himself and God. Let's interpret the story of the rich young man from the perspective of God's possibility for humanity. Let's not forget that the theme of this story is not wealth but eternal life. And let's not reveal our materialistic nature by questioning whether it's about wealth or poverty in the grand scheme of God's will.
22 But he was sad at this saying and went away sorrowful, for he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!
25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God."
26 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"
27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."
Humans are not solely possessed of a sinful nature; they embody both good and evil. A person can fall away from their being, yet they are also a reality that yearns for their origin (Eros). The young man in this story is not just a miserly rich man but a wealthy person interested in eternal life. Even a rich young man can inquire about eternal life, reflecting his good nature. The young man's greatest strength and weakness is his wealth. He might give up some of his riches, but not all. A sparrow is just a sparrow, not a stork.
Let's not read the story of the rich young man's question about eternal life simply as a contrast between wealth and poverty. The idea that it is hard for the rich to be saved and easier for the poor, tied to possessions, is like a camel passing through the eye of a needle. Jesus addresses the young man as representing all humanity. Just as a camel cannot pass through the eye of a needle, neither can humans. When the young man asked about eternal life, Jesus affirmed it and spoke of God's will. However, Jesus emphasized that humanity, in itself, cannot fulfill God's will. God desires to embrace people into His realm. More directly, God's grand purpose is revealed in Jesus' High Priestly Prayer in John 17, where Jesus openly pleads to include people between Himself and God. Let's interpret the story of the rich young man from the perspective of God's possibility for humanity. Let's not forget that the theme of this story is not wealth but eternal life. And let's not reveal our materialistic nature by questioning whether it's about wealth or poverty in the grand scheme of God's will.