21st Sunday after Pentecost Mark 10:17-31

Discipleship on the Road

Mark 10 is set along Jesus’ journey through Judea, on his way to Jerusalem. Along the way Jesus has a series of encounters with people who present very earthy and urgent issues of faith and discipleship. Physical limitations (9:14-29), jealousy (9:33-37), tribalism (9:38-41), sin (9:42-49), pride (10:13-16), and now money and possessions (10:17-31). 

We don’t know what the man did to make his money, but based on his movement toward Jesus it appears he is gifted in the currency of charisma. He approaches Jesus to garner favor, “Good Teacher…” In Judaism only God is characteristically called “good.” Rabbis welcomed any number to titles, but only rarely was a rabbi addressed as “good teacher,” for fear of blasphemy (Edwards,…