“Nothing Left to Lose” (Mark 10:46-52)

There is a movement that calls for people to live with fewer material possessions in order to find freedom.  It is a call to live with less stuff that ties a person down from experiencing life more fully.  Two of the leading “gurus” of this minimalist movement, Joshua Fields Millburn and Ryan Nicodemus, describe minimalism as “a tool to rid yourself of life’s excess in favor of focusing on what’s important—so you can find happiness, fulfilment, and freedom.”  Basically, their argument is to get rid of those things that keep one from fully being free to live life . . . to free one’s self from all the weight, baggage, and strings that tie one down from what one owns . . . to find more time to pursue what matters over what one owns or possesses . . . freedom.

“Freedom” is a big word that we like to throw around—especially as Americans.  What does “freedom” really mean?  Probably my favorite definition of “freedom” comes from an old Kris Kristofferson song, Me and Bobby McGee.  In the chorus the singer (Janis Joplin if you’re a purist) sings: “Freedom is just another word for nothin’ left to lose.”  That makes sense to me.

If you have nothing left to lose . . . what’s to stop you?

When I think of Bartimaeus, I picture a person with nothing left to lose.  He was blind.  Certainly, a disability.  Within the Jewish culture of that time those with disabilities were seen as sinners.  Either they or someone in their family had committed a sin to cause their disability . . . a punishment from God.  To have a disability threw you out of the social circle of society.

Bartimaeus was probably poor.  When we encounter him, he is sitting by the roadside begging.  Being disabled he had no other way to earn a living.  He would have to rely upon the goodness of others in order to survive.  Also, the poor were not looked upon favorably within the Jewish society, thus throwing Bartimaeus even further out of the circle.

Bartimaeus was definitely a person with nothing left to lose.  When he heard all the commotion being made and who it was for—after all, he was blind, not deaf—he decided to take a chance.  He had heard about Jesus, thus he cried out: “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!”  Over and over he yelled.

Of course, this upset those around him . . . who was he to call out to Jesus?  So, they rebuked him . . . told him to be quiet.  I imagine that Bartimaeus paused for a nano-second, thought about it, and decided there was nothing else they could do to him . . . so, he shouted even louder: “Son of David, have mercy on me!”

Nothing left to lose.

Bartimaeus had nothing left to lose . . . no money . . . no power . . . no status . . . nothing!  Having nothing to lose he went full-throttle for what he wanted.  He wanted to be healed of his blindness.  That is exactly what he told Jesus when he went up to him . . . which Jesus granted him, telling Bartimaeus: “Go, your faith has healed you.”

I don’t believe that Bartimaeus chose to be a minimalist.  His minimalism was probably circumstantial.  Yet, he understood that there was nothing left to keep him from approaching Jesus to get what he wanted.  He had no possessions to lose.  He had no power to lose.  He had no status.  Even the berating and ridicule of the crowd attempting to shut him up was no big deal . . . they always treated that way, after all, he was an outsider—he wasn’t one of them.  He was blind.

We remember the story of the man who approached Jesus asking what he must do in order to follow.  Jesus gave him the usual answer, to which the man stated that he had been doing that since he was a child.  Then Jesus told him to sell everything and to give it to the poor.  The man was heart-broken . . . he couldn’t do it.  He was bound to his possessions.  I imagine, in his mind, the price was too high . . . he had too much to lose . . . he was not free.

It was Bartimaeus’ faith that restored his sight, but it was his freedom that allowed him the courage to pursue it.  There was nothing stopping him . . . nothing to lose.  That is the way that we are to pursue our relationship with God and others . . . as if there is nothing to lose . . . just like Jesus showed us.

One of the fallacies of our faith has to do with eternal life.  For some reason there is this idea that eternal life begins once we have died . . . that we enter into eternal life.  But, that is not the way that it works.  No, it begins the moment that we dedicate our lives to following Jesus . . . begins that minute we are saved.  It begins right then and there, and we are living it right now in the present moment.  Through Jesus we have found life . . . eternal life.  Thus, the question becomes, what is keeping us from fully living and experiencing life right now?

Could it be because we are not truly free from that in life . . . our lives . . . that is keeping us from completely focusing on what is really important . . . having a loving relationship with God and others . . . allowing ourselves to discover the joy, happiness, fulfilment, and freedom that comes from such a relationship?

Jesus challenges us to constantly be aware of those things in our lives that block our relationship with God and others.  To consider our possessions—material, psychological, and spiritual—that keep us from fully embracing intimacy with God and others.  Jesus tells us to rid ourselves of those things to the point that we free ourselves to experience the deep grace and love of God.  When there is nothing left to lose, we are free to discover all there is to God’s love and grace.

In the end, Bartimaeus received his sight because he had nothing left to lose.  If Jesus granted his desire . . . wonderful; but, if Jesus didn’t . . . he lost nothing.  With nothing to lose, he put all his being in the hands and heart of Jesus.  He won it all.  May we find such faith.  Amen.

“The Suffer Club” (Mark 10:35-45)

The Mega Millions lottery on Friday was worth well over a billion and a half dollars.  That is a lot of money.  I was tempted to purchase a ticket . . . but I wasn’t quite convinced my chances at a little over one in a little over 300 million were real good.  Yet, I did allow myself the thrill of dreaming for a few minutes . . . dreaming how a billion dollars would change my life . . . of moving me up into that top one percent . . . of living the rich life . . . of having it all.  Then I thought, 300 million to one . . . naw!

Jesus’ disciples were doing a little dreaming as they were still attempting to understand everything that was happening around them.  Though they were constantly with Jesus . . . hearing his words, seeing his miracles, and doing his ministry, they still were not certain exactly what they were getting into as they followed their teacher.  One thing they did understand is that Jesus was the king they had been waiting for.  In their understanding of what a king was like . . . the good life . . . they allowed themselves to dream.

Especially the brothers, James and John.  In their minds they saw that there was some prime real estate to be had as Jesus ascended to the throne.  They saw all the trimmings that come with being a king . . . after all kings reign in glory, they are honored, and wield great power.  James and John saw themselves as good and faithful followers; therefore, in their minds, shouldn’t they be entitled to bask in some of the glory, too?

With this in mind, the two ask Jesus for a favor . . . “Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in your glory.” 

Of course, this did not make the other disciples happy.  Jesus, on the other hand, is a little intrigued by the request.  He tells the two that they do not understand what it is that they are asking.  He asks them if they think that they can do as he is doing . . . to “drink the cup” he is drinking or to be “baptized in the baptism” that he has been baptized with.  With no hesitation the two affirm that they can.  This only confirms for Jesus that the two still do not understand . . . that they do not understand what it is Jesus is attempting to teach and show them about following and emulating him.

Jesus tells them that if they truly follow him . . . live like him, they will “drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am baptized with . . .”; and yet, at the same time they need to understand that it is not the silver spoon club they are joining, but the “suffer club”.  There is a huge difference.  A huge difference between the kingdom that they dream of and the kingdom that God calls all to join.  Once again, he explains that the kingdom of God is not like the kingdom of humanity.  No, in the kingdom of God it is to serve that is better than to be served . . . and, in that service there would be suffering.  Jesus invites them to the “suffer club”.

You can just hear the air leaking out as Jesus pokes their balloons once again.  This is not what the two were dreaming of when they popped their request on Jesus . . . they were expecting to serve, they were going to be served . . . and, they sure were not thinking about suffering.  Yet, that is what Jesus is calling his disciples and us to. 

The Reverend Sharon Blezard puts it this way: “. . . Jesus invites us to join the ‘suffer’ club as part of faithful and radical discipleship, to realize that in following him and in being part of the reign of God here and now, we open our eyes, our minds, and our hearts to the realities of this beautiful yet broken world. No one gets out of life on earth alive, and suffering is a part of the fabric of life.”

Jesus is right.  We live in a beautiful but broken world.  That is where we live.  We need to open our eyes, minds, and hearts to this reality . . . we live in a beautiful world, but there is much that is broken.  You don’t get one without the other; yet, we are not much for suffering these days.  We have life pretty easy.  We have the ability to turn away from that which is ugly . . . that which shows suffering . . . that which is violent . . . unjust . . . and evil.  We have the ability to ignore it or relegate it to someone.  We can change the channel, turn it off . . . we can send money to support missionaries who are on the front line doing the dirty work . . . and, we don’t even have to leave the conform of our own homes.  Despite our denial, the suffering will always be there in the midst of the beauty.  Like death, there is no escaping it. 

Thus, it is that Jesus calls for his followers to open their eyes, minds, and hearts to this reality.  It is a call to service . . . a call to join the “suffer club”. It is a call that even Jesus himself cannot ignore.  He tells his disciples: “For the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  If you are going to follow Jesus, you are going to experience suffering.  In the suffering there is beauty, joy, and hope in serving others.

The late Leonard Cohen, from his Jewish roots, understood that in the suffering the light shines in.  In his song, Anthem, he sings:

Ring the bells that still can ring

Forget your perfect offering

There is a crack, a crack in everything

That’s how the light gets in.

The fact is that we live in a beautiful world that is broken.  Into the brokenness we are called to live our lives in order to discover that there is beauty, joy, and hope in serving others.  And when we suffer, or suffer with others, we learn what it means to be fully dependent upon Jesus who shows us the perfect way.

Jesus invites us to join the “suffer club”.  Invites us to discover the beauty, joy, and hope in serving others . . . to allow the light to shine through the cracks.  We are not the first to be invited.  No, in joining the club we discover that this moves us into a community that spans across time, place, and context with others who bear the name of Christ.  It is not an exclusive club.  It is a big club, with a vast table and good company, where there is always room for one more.

It may not be the lottery, but it is a lot better.  Amen.

“Sticker Shock” (Mark 10:17-31)

“Sticker shock” is that reaction you have when you see the price of something that you really want . . . usually a lot more than you are expecting to pay.  Do you remember the first time you experienced “sticker shock”?

The first that I remember experiencing “sticker shock” was shortly after I moved to Lexington, Kentucky to attend seminary.  I needed to get a haircut.  Having no car, I walked down to nearest barbershop . . . I plopped down in the barber’s chair . . . and the guy began snipping and cutting my hair.  It was pleasing experience and the guy did a really good job.  Then he said, “That will be ten dollars.”

It was like someone had punched me in the gut—I was breathless.  Ten dollars!  I had never paid ten dollars for a haircut . . . never ever!  Here was this guy . . . waiting for me to pay him ten dollars . . . probably even wanted a tip on top of that.  The haircut suddenly wasn’t looking so good anymore. After I picked myself up off the floor, I paid the guy ten dollars, plus a tip.  I never went there again.  After I discovered a beauty school near the seminary—four bucks a haircut.  It was an adventure . . . the haircuts weren’t always good . . . but, for four dollars it was perfect.

My wife and children tell that I am cheap . . . that I’m so tight with money that I squeak when I walk.  It might be true, but I like to think of myself like everyone else . . . I want a good deal for my money.  I don’t want to be shocked by the price of something I want.  I don’t want “sticker shock”.  So, do you remember experiencing “sticker shock”?

May you would as the man in our scripture reading this morning.  A man comes up to Jesus and asks him what he must do to inherit eternal life.  Jesus rattles off the expected answer that comes from what we call the Ten Commandments.  These are things that any Jew would have known.

Of course, the man pipes up that he has kept these commandments since he was a young child.  Piece of cake!  As far as this guy is concerned, the price is right . . . he’s got it covered.  Bu Jesus wasn’t done . . . he throws in one more thing . . . “One thing you lack.  Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then come, follow me.”

The man suddenly had a case of “sticker shock”.  The words that Jesus spoke floored the man.  The price was more than he was willing to pay.  Turns out he was quite wealthy.  The writer tells us that “. . . the man’s face fell.  He went away sad . . .”

Grace may be free, but it isn’t cheap.  There is a price to follow Jesus.  There is some “sticker shock” to be experienced when we choose to follow Jesus.  The disciples were quick to speak up and declare that they were not like this man . . . they had given up much to follow Jesus.  Peter states that they have given up everything.  Jesus lets them that such action would bring blessing and eternal life . . . and, it would also bring challenges . . . big challenges.

To follow Jesus is not easy . . . it is hard work as he challenges us to consider our whole lives in comparison to his life.  It is hard work to consider what it is in ourselves and our lives that block us from the call of Jesus.  A challenge to give up all that distracts us from loving God and others completely.  There is a price to pay and not all will be willing to pay the price.

Jesus is not advocating that we all go out and sell everything that we own to give to the poor.  At the same time, he probably wouldn’t complain if we did.  Instead he points out that there are barriers in our lives that keep us from freely following him and his way of life.  For the man who confronted Jesus, it was his wealth.  His wealth was more important than others and God.

I imagine that we have all experienced “sticker shock” in our relationships with Jesus.  Often in our discussion group before worship I have listened to individuals share about their struggles with what Jesus wants and how they are living their lives.  Also, with many of those who participate in this congregation.  I’m impressed in the openness and willingness to admit that following Jesus is not easy . . . that he challenges them to make changes . . . changes that they admit they aren’t sure they can or want to make.  It is “sticker shock”.

Jesus says that it won’t be easy . . . nor will it be cheap.  It may mean giving up relationships . . . jobs . . . possessions . . . property.  It may mean giving up attitudes, beliefs, and traditions . . . membership to organizations.  Jesus wants his followers to remove whatever it is that blocks their ability to have a relationship with God and one another.

How difficult is it?

Jesus tells us that it would be “. . . easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle . . .” than for someone who refuses to free him or herself of that which blocks intimacy and relationship with God and others to get eternal life.  At the same time, it is not impossible.  Jesus also says, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”

Let us not be cheap in our faith.  Let us follow Jesus where he leads.  The challenges are real, but the blessings are plentiful.  As Jesus said, “All things are possible with God.”  Amen.