Pentecost 20, October 10, 2021

I don’t think I could do it.  Could you?

Give up all your material possessions and give them to the poor?

Keep all the commandments perfectly?  No way.

The impossible demands reflected in today’s Gospel made one young man turn away from Jesus when he realized he couldn’t do it either.

Today’s Gospel is about an encounter with Jesus.  It tells of a young man who came to Jesus with a question about his salvation.  He was a good man but holding on to the wrong things.  Some have speculated that this young man might even be Mark, the author of our Gospel for today.  But today he is me and you. 

In describing this encounter, our Gospel includes a sentence that is central to this text and is critical to our understanding of this interaction between a rich, sometimes called foolish, young man and Jesus.  It is the one part of this reading that might be overlooked because it seems unimportant and yet I think it is THE most significant line in this text and perhaps the most beautiful unspoken expression by Jesus recorded in the Gospels.

The rich young man approached Jesus with his question about salvation and with a bold assertion that he had kept all the commandments.  Three of the Gospels include the story of this encounter, but only Mark, the preeminent story-teller, includes one life-changing detail that has nothing to do with obedience and commandments or the challenges of wealth and riches.  Mark writes these words:  “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”

I’m not sure why the other accounts left this line out.  It seems like this is where the most important part of the story lies.  Not in the man’s estimation of himself or his misunderstanding of the law.  Not in the challenge to give everything away or the invitation to carry the cross.  Not in the fact that the man walked away from Jesus sad because he was rich.  But the most important thing – the most life-changing thing –is what happens when Jesus looks at us and loves us. 

It would have been customary in Jesus’ day for a rabbi to show his love and approval and favor for a disciple who had learned his lessons well and who exhibited understanding by kissing the disciple on the forehead – a sign of approval and favor.  Very likely this is what Jesus did.  Isn’t it interesting that Jesus would look on this man with his favor even though the young man lacked understanding and eventually walked away from Jesus?

Jesus sees the man for who he really is.  He knows better than anyone that the man has not kept all the commandments.  He knows that the man is too wrapped up in material things.  He knows him – he sees him – and he loves him still NOT because the man has accomplished much for himself and become successful.  NOT because he has been obedient and faithful.  He loves him the same way I loved my grandson when I first saw him.  I looked at him and loved him.  That was it.  On two different occasions in Jesus’ life, God the Father looked down on his Son and said, “this is my beloved” on whom my favor rests.  Jesus looked at the young man in our Gospel and loved him – he looks at us and loves us – the way his Father looks at him and loves him.

If Mark, the author of our text is indeed the rich young man encountering Jesus is this story, that might explain why he’s the only one who includes this detail.  He alone saw Jesus’ eyes and knew in that moment what if felt like to be loved.

This language – looking at him and loving him – looking into his eyes and showing unconditional favor and approval sounds very much like the scriptural blessing we often use in worship:  “The Lord look upon you with favor.”  This is what Jesus is doing.  He is looking on the man with favor . . . with approval . . . with love.  Next time you hear these words, remember that Jesus sees you and loves you in spite of our foolishness and misunderstanding — regardless of our disobedience or unfaithfulness.

We use this benediction at the END of worship, but isn’t this the starting point for our relationship with Jesus?  That he looks at us and loves us? Isn’t this what he has done for us by claiming us in baptism when most of us were still wiggling and squirming in our parents’ arms? He saw us then and loved us. Isn’t this what he does when we hobble up here to eat and drink knowing full well we have NOT kept these commandments or lived righteous lives?  Even though we stubbornly hang on too tightly to all the wrong things? He looks in the eye and loves us all.  Isn’t this what he did when he died for us while we were still sinners? He came face to face with us and poured out his love.

He looks at us … He sees us … he sees what no one else can see and what we try to hide.  He sees our failures, our brokenness and our sin.  He sees us for who we really are.  And he loves us still.  Isn’t that the most important thing?  Isn’t this the Gospel message?  In that moment when rich young man encountered Jesus, Jesus preached the Gospel NOT in words but with his eyes. 

I want to stay in that moment.  I don’t want to demonstrate how well I know things.  I don’t want to have to prove myself with grand gestures of self-sacrifice.  I don’t want to make promises I can’t keep. I don’t want to claim anything of my own.  I simply want to be seen and loved.  I want to be in that moment when I feel like a disappointment.  When my best efforts are met with no results.  Or when I wonder about the future.  Or feel alone.  Or when I am frustrated or sad.  I want to know that Jesus sees me.  And loves me.   That seems like all I need.  In fact, if Jesus sees me and loves me, I lack nothing.  And that is where we are at our best.  Even at our worst.  You are here today with all your own questions and misunderstandings . . . with your hands wrapped too tightly on your own gods.  Jesus sees you and loves you.

Ultimately, this is not just a story about a rich young man.  It is not even just an autobiographical signature from the author, Mark. This is a story about you and me.  About the way we encounter Jesus and the way he interacts with us.  What must we do to inherit eternal life? Or win God’s favor?  There is nothing we CAN do.  But just don’t walk away defeated or sad.  Lean into this moment with Jesus.  Be seen and be loved.