Jesus said, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” They were greatly astounded and said to one another, “Then who can be saved?” … Jesus said, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first.”  [Mark 10.17-31]

We have developed, even cultivated, an elastic capacity when we hear Jesus’ words.

We attend to the astonishing challenges of his teaching, or the stories Jesus tells and, moments later we return, reflexively, to where we were.

We encounter wayward sons and roadside Samaritans, soldiers and Sadducees, forgiveness beyond our counting, and are astonished that blind beggars see more clearly than community leaders. Children become the hallmark of God’s kingdom, for both hospitality and understanding, while those who are hungriest and least likely are desperate for the life Jesus offers, grasping with both hands – and their hearts.

So easily we discover ourselves looking for another inference, or something which won’t disrupt the shape we have made for our lives.  

“Christianity is one beggar telling another beggar where to find food” a missionary suggested.[1] Perhaps our diet is too rich? Are we too well fed?

Many of us read the story of a rich man walking away from Jesus and immediately dismiss the idea that the story has anything to do with money. It’s a metaphor, or something; an illustration about what weighs us down or distracts us.

Don’t worry, I get it. The story unnerves me too.

I want to suggest that, at the core of many of us is the flimsy and undisturbed belief that money is a valid marker of value and achievement. That people who get ahead (or are born ahead) will, deservedly, remain ahead.

Thus, when Jesus trips the disciples by declaring anyone who is wealthy is too encumbered to enter the kingdom of God, we nod our heads wisely for a moment, mentally check our bank balance and decide (thankfully!) that we have less money than Lachlan Murdoch, and we start measuring embroidery needles.

You see, Jesus can’t be inferring this has anything to do with me.

And a blind man leaves his livelihood pushing his way past us, to risk himself with Jesus, discovering sight and life and one to follow into eternity.

What must we do to inherit eternal life?

How hungry are you?

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[1] D.T. Niles