Monday, October 15, 2012

Reflection: Do What You Know (October 15, 2012)

The 20th Sunday after Pentecost
Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19; Mark 10:17-22


There’s a certain comfort in doing something that you know well. While we might complain that doing the same kind of task repeatedly can become boring, we soon find ourselves wishing for the comfortable and familiar things when we’re confronted with having to do something that we don’t know much about and we don’t know how to do. Even people who like the challenge of new things find themselves troubled when they don’t know how to go about doing what they need to do. Those new (and even exciting) tasks quickly lose their appeal when we’re paralyzed because we don’t know anything about them. To one degree or another, we can only do what we know. However, just because we know something doesn't mean that we can do it.
 
When a rich young man approached Jesus with his concerns about eternal life was, Jesus replied by telling him, “You know the commandments” (Mark 10:19). He was telling the man that what he needed to do to be assured of eternal life was to do what he already knew about God’s Law and will. Jesus was telling him, “Do what you know.” The problem that the man had with Jesus’ answer was that he was convinced that he had already done the things that Jesus listed but he still didn't have the peace of certainty about eternal life that he desired. In so many words, he answered Jesus, “I've already done what I know.” But the man was not being honest with either Jesus or himself. Jesus’ reply to the man’s claim highlighted what the man knew but hadn't done, indeed, what he wouldn't do. Even worse than that, it was what he could know but not do.

Like this man, you know the commandments and are called to do what you know. If that was all there was to Jesus’ teachings you would have to join him in walking away from Jesus with heavy heart. Like him, you would not do what you know. Like him, you could not do what you know to be God’s Law. But rather than turn away from Jesus without hope, you have turned to Jesus for hope. By the working of the Holy Spirit, you have come to know Jesus as more than a “good teacher.” You know that He is the one who has kept God’s Law for you, freed you from its condemnation, secured eternal life for you, and freed you. You know His love, grace, and mercy. And He has empowered you to do what you know.

1 comment:

  1. I really good message, strong and to the pint with good focus to current values or lack there of to or political options this year, a very important perspective you put on them and bring to the front that we must all at all time be TRUE stewards, mentors, leaders and missionaries to Gods word at a cost beyond ourself will and comforting needs for exceptance and fame I also engaged with the way that you described or focus to gods gifts and talents we've individually Been granted with differently.

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