Mark 10: Letting It Go
In the tenth chapter of the Gospel of Mark, we encounter two people who come from opposite life situations, though not really. We have a rich, young man and a blind beggar. The first man asks Jesus for his blessing, and so, Jesus asks him to let go his riches and to follow him. The rich man goes away with great sorrow, because it is too much to let go- it is not a worthy trade, in his mind. The next man also asks Jesus for his blessing, but Jesus does not ask him to let go of anything. He simply heals the beggar. Why does he treat them differently? There are at least several reasons, but this is the one I will focus on: both men needed to let go of something to make room for Jesus and his blessing in their life, and the second had done so beforehand while the first still needed convincing. This is why I said that they, "come from opposite life situations, though not really."
It is obvious what the rich, young man must give up to make room for Jesus and his blessing- the text spells it out. He needs to let go of his riches. In broader words, he needs to let go of what lot in life he has been given. But what could the blind beggar possibly need to give up? Surely the one who suffers is greatly tempted to become bitter. Suffering injustice (experiencing blindness while your fellow man does not) gives one the right to bitterness, to hardness, does it not? Such a person can take pride in what he or she has endured, which others haven't had to. The rich man can be looted in the night, robbed of his entire source of power and worth, but the pride of the sufferer cannot be taken from him. It will stay and hold as long as its master holds onto it. It is the greatest security many people have. To let go of the title "victim" is to admit, "there is still justice in the world, even if it is not fully realized. My God has not failed me, and I am still fortunate to be His." The blind beggar knew that Jesus was the awaited messiah, because he called him "Son of David," and because he believed in his power ("Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you.") Life had given the blind beggar a terrible lot, but he was able to let it go, so to make room for Jesus and his blessing.
What sort of life have we been given? Are we rich? If so, have we let our riches spoil us? If we cannot let them go at a moment's notice, should God ask such, then yes, we are spoiled. Are we poor? If so, have we let our poverty spoil us? If we cannot it let go at a moment's notice, should God ask such, then yes, we are spoiled. Will we make room for Jesus and his blessing in our lives? Is it worthwhile? Looking back through history at the two men, the answer is obvious. But the answer should be obvious for our situations today as well.
Mark 10, Luke 18
God Bless the Reader
-jake