Dirty Words - Commandments

Job 23.1-9, 16-17; Mark 10.17-31 “Dirty Words – Commandments” Pastor Jacqueline Hines

If I were to give the bible another name, that name would be BOUNDARIES. The main function of the bible is to draw the boundary lines where we should step and where we should stay away. Biblical boundaries nudge us into our appropriate positions for peace and surround us with signs and wonders that inspire us to us to walk in paths bright with righteousness.

Verse 17 tells us that a man ran to Jesus and knelt down, giving him respect and honor. The same story is told in other gospels where the man was evidently young and rich with a lot going for himself.

This story brings to mind a certain GE commercial where the parents of a young man are congratulating him for his new position as a worker for GE one of the greatest company’s in this country. The father lays a huge hammer on the table and says, ‘This is your grand pappy’s hammer.’ Indicating he worked hard and long. The young man declares, ‘in my new job as a GE worker, I will be running big machines more powerful and efficient than ever.’ The dad looks at his son and says, ‘You can’t even pick it up, can you?’ The young man is speechless as the commercial comes to an end.

Today is senior day and we recognize that our seniors have worked hard and long to build great lives and to build God’s church. Each generation behind us comes along and may be able to do things faster and easier in some ways, but we smile to ourselves when we realize that they may not have the wisdom and spiritual strength to lift and carry as the generation before them.

The young man who ran to Jesus had spiritual discipline and self-control that was better than most, because most do not want to take orders. He was driven this day by one burning question and he was in a hurry to get the answer.

‘Jesus, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ What can I do to have the lawful right to eternal life? He may have wanted to add to his portfolio of valuables. Perhaps eternal life was just another one more admirable asset to go along with   all of his other stuff.

Jesus looked at him and loved him and told him to sell all his stuff and give the money to the poor, for when God is all we have, we understand that God is all we need.

Though he walked away sadly, he was bound to learn that eternal life is just what Jesus said in John 17, “This is eternal life to know God…”   Eternal life is to know God like Adam knew Eve. It is to live in a sacred place where one gets to know God personally and intimately, producing the stuff that really matters in this life and the life to come - the spiritual fruit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

The young man who ran to Jesus knew the commandments like the back of his hand, but he did not know the God who longs for a personal relationship with those whom he created.

One of my part time jobs as a teenager was working behind a widow in a gas station from 11-7 a.m. It was wonderful to keep busy chatting with travelers during the night and to watch the sun come up in all its glory. There were plenty of moments when I could pray without interruption. During one shift, I was enveloped by God’s loving presence as if in a great big hug, and in my heart I heard these loving words, “You are mine all mine….” which can be found in scripture. But, in my youthful foolishness and rebellious mind, I did not want to belong to God 100% and I felt myself pushing God away.

We run to Jesus for many reasons. When we are challenged to surrender 100% of our will or 100% of our stuff, we may go away sadly, even though we know our rewards would be great.

At the end of the day, it is not how we come to Jesus, it is how we leave.   Amen.