The cross above Good Shepherd Chapel

Day

25

Helpless Dependence

Lent 2020

Read Mark 10:13-31

13 And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. 14 But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, "Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 15 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it." 16 And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them. 17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 And Jesus said to him, "Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'" 20 And he said to him, "Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth." 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, "Children, how difficult 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 a rich person to enter the kingdom of God." 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, "Then who can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." 28 Peter began to say to him, "See, we have left everything and followed you." 29 Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

It is our nature to attempt to control our standing before God. Even if we are willing to put control in the hands of God alone, our tendencies are to look for indicators (controllable indicators) of faith demonstrated by belief or will that would help us be confident in our salvation. Mark pairs two stories that help us see through our self-deceptions. A small child is fully dependent when it comes to wants and needs of the body. A rich man is seen as blessed by God and should have all he needs to be able to do all things without dependence on others. And yet, in this comparison, it is difficult (seemingly impossible) for the rich man to experience the reign of God, while the kingdom belongs to the helpless child.

Jesus’ words remind us that salvation, life in God’s kingdom, comes completely by his grace and work. We don’t earn it, can’t will it, and don’t even receive it because of belief in the sense of a cognitive understanding. We trust it. Like helpless children, we receive God’s blessings, entering his kingdom because of his actions and divine mercy.

Prayer

Father, thank you for your divine mercy which brings me under your gracious rule and care. Strengthen and keep me in true faith, that I may trustingly cling to life in your name. Amen.

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