Mark 10:17-31
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.”
Reflection
The disciples are “exceedingly astonished” by Jesus (Mark 10:26) because, in first-century Judaism, people believed that wealth was a sign of God’s blessing (cf. Job 1:1–3). If it was impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom, then what hope could there be for anyone?
Once again, we must remember the unexpected nature of Christ’s kingdom. God is looking for childlike trust (Mark 10:13–16), not the outward symbols of social status, such as wealth. As Jesus puts it, “many who are first will be last, and the last first” (v. 31). Jesus made himself “last” by going to a cross. Now, because of his sacrifice, those who acknowledge they are “last” can receive the grace of being made “first”— we can be forgiven and live eternally with God as members of his kingdom.
2 Corinthians 12:1-10
12: I must go on boasting. Though there is nothing to be gained by it, I will go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows— 4 and he heard things that cannot be told, which man may not utter. 5 On behalf of this man I will boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses. 6 Though if I should wish to boast, I would not be a fool, for I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain from it, so that no one may think more of me than he sees in me or hears from me. 7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Reflection
Heavenly revelations and “thorns” are the two extreme realities of Paul’s experience (2 Cor. 12:4, 7). Both have the potential to knock him off balance, but the gospel stabilizes him and provides proper perspective. Though he might have become arrogant by receiving astonishing visions and revelations (vv. 1, 4), he refrains from saying too much because he doesn’t want anyone to think too highly of him (v. 6).
Paul’s “thorn” was extremely painful (v. 8), but he has learned the gospel truth that God uses his power on behalf of those who are weak (vv. 9–10). Nothing, not even mysterious painful experiences, will bring Paul to doubt his identity and calling in the gospel. His painful circumstances helped him cherish the all-sufficient grace of God (v. 9a). Is this how you handle your own weaknesses? The gospel should radically shift our thinking. When our difficult circumstances are seen as opportunities to prove the power and sufficiency of Christ (v. 9), then we can join Paul in his shocking claim: when we are weak, we are strong (v. 10).
Psalm 119:37
37 Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.
Do your priorities reflect the values of God’s eternal kingdom? Prayerfully consider your goals in life, and ask God if he wants you to make any short- or longterm adjustments for the sake of the kingdom.