"...store up for yourselves treasures in heaven...
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
The encounter began one way but ended in quite another fashion! One can only imagine the response of the disciples as they listen closely for Jesus' answer to the rich young ruler who has surprised them all with his abrupt entrance as he runs to Jesus and falls on his knees. His question reverberates through the ages of time: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Perhaps Peter already began to formulate the answer that Jesus will surely give. He may also have begun to imagine what a relief it will be to their common purse to have someone like this as their companion. Jesus' response opens up a conversation which we have need of even though it is very contrasting to popular preoccupation with the presumed advantage of having wealth. Jesus places a higher value on following Him than on keeping the treasure for oneself! "Go and sell and give" are the primary words in Jesus' prerequisite to the invitation "then come and follow me".
Not only is the rich young ruler baffled (and turned away!) by this response, the disciples themselves were amazed at this totally controversial reply of Jesus. This passage in Mark 10:17 through 31 opens up an essential conversation. Jesus inserts the " impossible with men and possible with God" phrase. That is a loud clue that nothing about this whole episode follows the patterns of natural (and popular!) thinking. Peter seeks confirmation from the Lord that the decision of the disciples to "leave everything" has been right for both the "now" and the "forever" phase of life. Jesus solidly affirms the relationship of "leaving" to "receiving". He reveals to them (and to you and me) that treasure in heaven as well as rewarded provision on earth are His commitment to His followers.
Laying up treasure in heaven is real. That word "treasure" in the original language fits our modern vocabulary of wealth portfolios; it means "deposit and wealth". Laying up treasure in heaven is more than just poetry confined to church. It is the essential revelation to what really matters! "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." The Apostle Paul, whose total life exemplifies "leaving for the sake of" declares the reality of anticipated, eternal rewards as he writes his final letter to young Timothy. (II Tim. 4:6-8) Treasure in heaven "makes $ense" of life which is so short and eternity which is so l-o-n-g! Being involved with our Lord in "the eternal" is an essential measurement for our investments of time and talents. Eternity is near. A prophetic understanding will have eternity at its very core. Let's restore the declaration so popular in a previous hour to the walls of our lives and hearts: "Only one life 'twill soon be past; only what's done for Christ will last!"*
With rejoicing,
Rev. Peggy I. Kennedy
"Sounding a prophetic voice to Canada and beyond..."
*from the poem by C.T. Studd (italics added)
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