Be BOLD!

Do you recognize the soundtrack? It is from Star Trek- the show tells the tale of the crew of the Starship Enterprise and its 5 year mission to boldly go where no man has gone before… to boldly go where no man, no person, has gone before… this is the theme for today’s message- BE BOLD- where is it that you are being asked to boldly go… and what’s holding you back?

Sometimes we are most afraid of what we most need… Let me repeat that statement because I really want you to hear it today: Sometimes we are most afraid of what we most need. Fear- Funny that the single command in Scripture that occurs more often than any other- God’s most frequently repeated instruction- is formulated in two words: FEAR NOT.

Fear not- be strong and courageous. You can trust me. Fear not. BE BOLD and daring…

Why fear not? I’m thinking that fear is not the most serious vice in the world- never made the list of the Seven Deadly Sins- one rarely gets disciplined for being fearful- so why is it that God tells human beings to stop being afraid more often than he tells them anything else? Interesting question…

I think God says fear not so often because fear is the number one reason that humans are tempted to avoid doing what God asks them to do. Let’s look at today’s gospel text- and as we do that- think for yourself what God might be asking of you- where you need to boldly go… and what’s holding you back.

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The story of the seemingly rich man trying to inherit eternal life is traditionally used to caution the wealthy- you may be thinking, surely that is not me. It is natural to paint an ugly picture of this man. One could imagine him in brightly colored robes, perhaps with gold accents; he is clean-shaven with a good composure. He speaks eloquently and probably commands respect in a crowd. He has most likely had an easy life- perhaps an exotic and lavish upbringing. It’s rather easy not to like him. It is easy to think of him as having horded his wealth, not giving to the poor or to his church- I give to my church! My guess is that he is getting to the end of his life and wants to ensure his eternal resting place. Surely, we would like to think, that is why he approaches Jesus today.

The story of the rich man begins promisingly enough. The man is obviously searching for something; otherwise, why would he go to Jesus? People who are satisfied and content usually do not seek Jesus, but only those who know there is something missing from their lives- hmmm, is there something missing in my life- what about you? Mark tells us that the man not only approaches Jesus, but runs to him. He knows that Jesus has something to offer him and is ready to take it- would I run to Jesus- does he have something to offer me- or do I have everything I need?

In addition this man is at a decided advantage because he seems to know what he really wants and needs. In asking Jesus, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” he admits that he needs something more than what he already has in his life- he wants and needs to share as completely as possible in the life of God- hmmm, do I? Or am I content just the way I am? Do I need to be challenged to boldly go where no man has gone before?

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Let’s look at Jesus’ response to this man’s inquiry- it is hardly surprising, remembering that Jesus is a Jew; Jesus tells him that if he is seeking the path of life, the surest way to begin is by keeping the commandments- I do that pretty well- haven’t killed anyone lately- honor my parents. This man too has lived a good and upright life, but yet the kingdom of God where everlasting life is found, is still not within his grasp and he knows it. Jesus then lays down the trump card: Jesus tells him that he will find what his heart most desires if he sells everything that he has and gives the money to the poor- everything… really?

This man, along with anyone who hears this story, is stunned. Jesus says that he will know fullness of life only by doing something that seems utterly reckless and wildly preposterous- I guess I would rather play it safe.

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This man will find happiness in being stripped of his possessions- giving it all to God. He will move more deeply into life with God by letting go- by forever loosening his hold on what he owns and trusting God. But he cannot let go- is he fearful? I would be- giving away everything? Instead of accepting Jesus’ invitation, he went away grieving.

What is it that I need to let go of to enter more fully into God’s kingdom- to be BOLD? And what’s holding me back? Fear? Fear disrupts faith and becomes the biggest obstacle to trusting and obeying God… my will or thy will be done?

The comment that the man goes away grieving is telling because it suggests that the man, after hearing Jesus’ advice, doesn’t weigh his options and then decide that returning to his wealth and possessions is the better choice. Indeed there is absolutely no indication that he has found what he is looking for in his wealth, for if he had he would not have come to Jesus in the first place. He knows what Jesus says is true. He knows that he is turning his back on the one thing he most wants and needs. Fullness of life is standing right in front of him, but he cannot let go of a lesser good for the sake of a much greater good. Consequently, for the time being his life will continue to be less than it could be- could my life be less than it could be? What about yours?

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Perhaps we move to the heart of this Gospel story when we recall that just before Jesus deflated the man with his shocking suggestion, Mark records that “Jesus, looking at the man, loved him.” Jesus loves us… Love is a way of seeing, and those who love us best see us best. In loving the man, Jesus sees him as he truly is, but in a way that this man is not yet capable of seeing himself- he cannot begin to imagine a life without all his stuff. Jesus wants him to have the life he is looking for, but lets him know that his attachment to what he owns prevents him from seeing and being who he truly is, and thus from finding fullness of life- what is it that is keeping me from finding this fullness?

(In this respect, there is an uncanny connection between the Gospel story and the passage from Hebrews. One could even say that in this story Jesus performs, or enacts, the passage from Hebrews because like “the word of God” that is “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword,” Jesus’ response penetrates to the very heart of the man. Jesus exposes his innermost spirit, reveals what is hidden and shows the young man to himself in a way that he has never known himself before.)

The man may go away grieving, but he does not go away empty handed. He finds what he is looking for- knowledge that leads to eternal life- and although he walks away sad, he does not walk away without hope. True riches are not what we acquire for ourselves, but what we give of ourselves. And when we give of ourselves we are boldly entering the kingdom of God here on earth.

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Today, 24 young adults will be affirming the baptismal promises made on their behalf by their parents and sponsors. They will be taking responsibility for their own journey of faith- to boldly go. It’s a big step- but a step that they will not travel alone… for it is Jesus who has boldly gone before us… we are called simply (or not so simply) to follow.

Who knows what may happen after the rich man spends a few days at home mulling over what Jesus has said? After all, as Jesus tells his disciples, so he says to us, “For God all things are possible.” Jesus awaits the mans return- just as he awaits for you and for me. Amen.