Mark 10:23-31
Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.”
That got their attention. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked.
Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.”
Peter tried another angle: “We left everything and followed you.”
Jesus said, “Mark my words, no one who sacrifices house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children, land—whatever—because of me and the Message will lose out. They’ll get it all back, but multiplied many times in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land—but also in troubles. And then the bonus of eternal life! This is once again the Great Reversal: Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.”
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
I’ve had quite the “pity party” this morning. A childhood friend who lives across the street from Grandma E called to tell us that the new owners of Grandma’s house have cut down her beloved gingko tree. Grandma planted this tree almost 20 years ago from a seed she found in Hannibal, Missouri, while on a Mississippi River cruise. The tree towered into the sky and provided the most amazing canopy of brilliant yellow leaves each fall. In recent weeks, we’ve watched the leaves change color, and just a few days ago, I snapped several photos and collected about 50 leaves to press between the pages of a Bible for posterity.
This tree was my mother-in-law’s pride and joy. We often photographed her with this tree in full yellow splendor during late fall. Grandma loved other plantings in the yard, too…a dogwood Greg purchased for her, several gardenia bushes, hydrangeas, and a towering camellia in the back yard that has been loaded with pink buds just waiting to open. When I learned that someone was there cutting trees and removing shrubbery and bushes, my heart sank. I know this property belongs to someone else – and they are free to do as they please with it. But these were GRANDMA’s plants and trees…and they were an extension of her to us.
In the last year, Greg and I have cleared out and sold my childhood home – and his mother’s house. When I read this passage from Mark 10, I thought about all the “stuff” – even the plants and trees. We become attached to our belongings, and they often become far too important or significant to us in some manner. Even plants become an extension of the person who cared for them. We do the same thing with people and relationships, pets, our careers, and more. And Jesus reminds us that we need to get our priorities in order so that we don’t miss out on a minute of His abundance – or the “bonus” of Eternal Life!
I realize that there are far nicer gingko trees in Heaven. I also was reminded that Grandma E could care less about that tree or her shrubbery and plants now. She has so many beautiful things to enjoy every minute. If she could talk to us, she would probably tell us that these earthly flora and fauna are NOTHING compared to what awaits us. And I believe that many of the belongings that were so important to our parents – and the family members of others who have gone to heaven – would hold no significance now. I can almost hear them saying, “It’s all just ‘stuff!'”
This doesn’t mean that we have got to sell everything we own, leave our family, friends, job and home, and become nomadic missionaries. Jesus is telling us to think about what we love and worship. Jesus is reminding us that when all is stripped away, He is still there – making a difference every minute of the day.
Too many of us have become comfortable in our present circumstances. We think if we pare down – or realign our priorities – we will “lose” a lot that is dear to us. Jesus disputes this completely. He tells us that nobody who “sacrifices” because of Him and His Message will lose out.
We have photos and memories of the beautiful gingko tree. And we have the promise of even BETTER trees and beauty to behold someday in Heaven! In this season of giving and getting, we may not be thinking that “less is more.” But truly, less of what we think is important – and more of Jesus is what we need.
Spend some time in prayer and consideration of where you need to “get rid of stuff” or “let go and let God” – and realign your goals and priorities. Put Jesus first in all things and see where He takes you. We have every chance in the world of pulling this off if we let God have complete authority. Make this the day that you ask Him to take control. Alleluia!
©2021 Debbie Robus
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