6. Amazed with Jesus and His Teaching about Wealth and the Camel
6. Amazed with Jesus and His Teaching about Wealth and the Camel.
“Life without wonder – radical amazement – is not worth living. It is the beginning of our happiness. Our goal should be to live life in radical amazement… get up in the morning and look at the world in a way that takes nothing for granted. Everything is phenomenal; everything is incredible. Never treat life casually. To be spiritual is to be amazed.” (Abraham Joshua Heschel).
I Stand Amazed | Celtic Worship ft. Steph Macleod
Jesus Christ engaged in a ministry of amazement, astonishment, wonder. Everywhere He traveled, He left people astounded and in awe. He caused a big stir wherever he went, and people left in His wake were amazed at who He was and what He was able to do, whether from His unusually wise teaching, His authoritative exorcisms, His unprecedented healings, His clever and insightful conversations, His dramatic miracles. It seemed everyone marveled at Jesus, despite His best efforts sometimes to be off the radar. There are three Greek synonyms that mean complete astonishment or radical amazement: ekplesso, thaumazo, and existemi. The differences between these three words, though, are fascinating. Are those of us who follow Jesus now, are we also amazed and astonished with Jesus?
“And the people were astonished (“ekplesso”) beyond measure, saying, ‘Everything He does is beautiful (“kalos”), and is done with excellence!” (Mark 7:37).
(1.) ASTONISHED: “ekplesso”; a strong Greek word for astonished; amazed; dumfounded; awestruck; overwhelmed at something extraordinary; struck out of one’s senses; takes your breath away, even to the point of panic. There were at least fifteen gospel events in which the Greek superlative “ekplesso” was used to communicate a radical amazement, astonishment, wonder at Jesus. Jesus was met with overwhelming astonishment after His Sermon on the Mount (Matt. 7:28); by His hometown friends as they rejected Him (Matt. 13:54); after His teaching on the inadequacy of wealth (Matt. 19:25); after His conversation with the Sadducees about heaven and the resurrection (Matt. 22:33); at His synagogue exorcism (Mark 1:22, 27); after His healing of the deaf and mute man (Mark 7:37); after He whipped the moneychangers in the Temple (Mark 11:18); at His brilliant level of understanding with the rabbis at just 12 years of age (Luke 2:48); after casting out a demon with just a word (Luke 4:32, 36); at the exorcism of a demon-possessed boy (Luke 9:43).
“And behold, a man from the crowd shouted out, ‘Master, I beg you to look at my son, for he is my only child! A spirit seizes him and suddenly he screams out and it convulses him so that he foams at the mouth! It mauls him and will scarcely leave him!’ Jesus answered, ‘Bring your son here to me.’ And even while the boy was coming, the demon threw him down to the ground and completely convulsed him. But Jesus severely rebuked the unclean spirit and healed the child, and then restored the boy to his father. And all were completely astounded (“ekplesso”) at the evidence of God’s mighty power, His majesty and His magnificence. While they were all marveling (“thaumazo”) at everything Jesus was doing…” (Luke 9:38-43).
(2.) MARVELED: “thaumazo”; another strong Greek word that means… marveled at, astonished by; amazed at; filled with wonder to the point of being bewildered; being awestruck in admiration. There were forty-four passages in the gospels in which people were greatly amazed by Jesus, astonished to the point of awed by Him. Included in the group of people who were completely amazed, “thaumazo’d” by Christ: the shepherds, Mary and Joesph, the disciples, the Pharisees, various crowds during His ministry, and even Pilate himself was astonished by Jesus and marveled at Him. People were amazed by everything from the angelic baby announcement, to various prophecies in Jesus’ young life, to the calming of the storm and the withering of the fig tree; from His miraculous exorcisms and healings to His teachings that always were on point and what were needed at the time.
“Then a blind and mute man under the power of a demon was brought to Jesus and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. And all the crowds of people were overwhelmed with astonishment, stunned with amazement and practically out of their minds with wonder (“existemi”), and said, ‘This cannot be the Son of David, the Messiah, can it?” (Matt. 12:22-23).
(3.) FLABBERGASTED: “existemi”; an extreme word that means to be out of one’s mind with amazement; crazy with wonderment; a stunned astonishment so strong that one is beside oneself; to be overwhelmed so as to be bowled over; literally, to remove from a standing position. This word is used seventeen times in the gospels, including when Jesus healed and forgave the paralyzed man dropped through the ceiling of Peter’s house; when Jesus raised a young girl from the dead; when Jesus calmed the storm and casually climbed into the boat with His disciples; on the road to Emmaus when the disciples heard about the empty tomb from the women. Existemi is also used when the family of Jesus thought He was crazy, going out of His mind.
I Stand Amazed (How Marvelous)
“Now a certain ruler came up to Jesus and asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?’ … But the man was sad at what Jesus then said to him, and he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions… And Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘With what difficulty will those who possess wealth and keep on holding it to enter the Kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were overwhelmed with astonishment (“ekplesso”) and perplexed mixed with amazement at His words. But Jesus said to them again, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches and place their confidence in wealth to enter the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.’ And the disciples again were shocked and completely astonished (“ekplesso”), and said to Him and to one another, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus glanced around at them and said, ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.’” (Mark 10:17-23; also refer to Matt. 19:16-26 and Luke 18:18-30).
THE CONTEXT. A rich man, probably the up-and-coming young rich ruler in the synagogue, approaches Jesus and asks the same thing the uppity lawyer asked Jesus in the prelude to the Good Samaritan story. “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus eventually gave those two men different answers. In both cases, Jesus first responded by referring to Hebrew Scripture. Then he gave them different answers to the same question. The Lord wanted to zero in on what each particular questioner needed to hear. This rich ruler loved his wealth and all the trappings, so Jesus centered on that. After their brief conversation, Jesus followed up on that exchange with a simple little parable about a camel and a needle.
UPDATING THE SCENE. Jesus is purposefully wandering around as usual, with his customary retinue of common fishermen, devoted women, noisy children, uptight Pharisees, and any number of needy oddballs and misfits. And here approaches a well-heeled flock indeed, dutifully following a handsomely turned-out young man, a ruler in a local synagogue. He enjoys a self-assured air of authority, an upper-crust aura of success. The glints of light reflecting off his jewelry are not exactly hidden under a bushel. The newly downloaded iPhone is tastefully tucked into a side-pocket. His loyal posse is busy doing its job: taking dictation, clearing the path of riff-raff, putting his callers on hold, and setting tomorrow’s schedule. Truth be told, this young man is a respected pillar in his community, a talented leader with a bright future, proud of his polished resume.
This rising star respectfully approaches Jesus, a well-respected rabbi. They exchange a few pleasantries, and proceed to get down to business. After all, he does have a tight schedule. “Jesus, ever since I’ve heard about you and your message, I’ve been waiting to ask you a question. I figure I am leading a good life. I’ve obeyed all the rules. I go to church and school faithfully, perfect attendance. I support my parents and give to the local charities. I don’t swear, smoke, drink to excess, lie, cheat, steal or gamble. I don’t even have a wayward eye, if you know what I mean.” Warming to him, Jesus smiles while the man continues. “I have lived with virtue and excellence, I am proud to say. So, is there anything I have missed? It’s obvious to me that God has rewarded my goodness with money and power. The Lord has blessed me with His favor and approval just as Moses promised in the Torah. That’s in Deuteronomy 28, I might add. Is there anything else I need to do to inherit eternal life?”
Well, Jesus really took to this earnest, well-meaning fellow immediately. Who wouldn’t? This fine young man is the next Big Thing in politics and high society. But Jesus looks through all those impressive externals, and peers with a jeweler’s eye straight into his heart. Jesus sees a man with great gifts, good intentions, and an empty life. So Jesus uses the direct approach, with none of those confusing stories or difficult metaphors that leave people scratching their heads. “I congratulate you!” exclaims Jesus. “You’re almost there! In fact, I’d say you have only one more thing to do to gain eternal life.” Jesus hesitates now, to make sure the young man and his senior staff were truly listening. “It’s quite simple,” continues Jesus. “Give away everything you own.”
The silence was deafening. You could almost hear a penny drop. The well-spoken man was speechless. “Why so dumfounded?” Jesus asks. “You’ve been reading the Law and the Prophets all these years, and missed the whole point? Let’s look at the Big Picture, son. God the Father invests His considerable gifts and goodness into life and matter through creation for no other reason than love. And here I am, like Father, like Son, in the form of a servant, giving away my glory because of love. What’s mine is His, what’s His is mine. We have kept nothing for ourselves. We’ve been giving everything away, emptying ourselves since Day One! And here you are, wondering what to do?” Jesus is only warming up.
Speaking with intense tenderness to the befuddled leader, Jesus rolls up his sleeves and lays it all on the line. “Here’s what you should do, sir: Give your hilltop mansion to the homeless shelter; your fancy clothes to Goodwill; your furniture to the Salvation Army; your gold to the local synagogue; your side business to the Rescue Mission; your savings account to the orphanage; your checking account to the nursing home; and your seaside cottage to the Retired Fisherman’s Union. Oh, and one more thing to give away… maybe the most important.” The young man gulps, wondering if there’s anything left. “Give your future to me. Follow me with no baggage.”
The young man could only stare in amazement, turn on his heels, and walk sorrowfully away. He couldn’t do it. It was too much to ask. Jesus’ heart breaks for him as he sadly watches the impressive success story disappear around the bend. With a sigh, Jesus decides to tell a little parable…
JESUS. After the conversation with the rich young ruler, Jesus turns to his wider audience, made an observation, and told this parable: “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter into the Kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to enter in through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” The camel was the largest known animal in Palestine, and the needle’s eye was perhaps the smallest opening known. The biggest animal going through the tiniest opening. Jesus loved using the popular Jewish teaching tools of the day like hyperbole, such as when He suggested plucking out your eye or cutting off your right hand if either offend you. Biblical researchers now say that there is no historical confirmation of there being a gate called the eye of the needle or some such. That appears to be more of a myth.
THE AUDIENCE. They were perplexed. If that rich, law-abiding ruler who could afford to do more good deeds than anyone they know of, couldn’t enter the Kingdom, then who could possibly be saved? Anyone? God has rewarded and blessed him with wealth and power and status, and even with all his best efforts he can’t enter the Kingdom? What hope is there for us, then?
JESUS. Jesus is saying that perhaps without knowing it, the rich man was worshipping wealth. It became too important to him. He chose money instead of God, when it came down to it. Jesus is also saying that there’s nothing that someone does, even if they are honorable and generous, to earn the Kingdom. Inheritance is not a right, it’s a gift. Love God and accept His free grace. Too, those with wealth tend to think they need to earn what they get. For so many, they tragically can’t set this tendency aside. Raw human effort and giftedness does not lead to inheriting eternal life. And that’s very difficult for the wealthy to accept.
FINAL THOUGHTS. a. Salvation is impossible by man’s efforts. The rich man would have needed Jesus to do what he asked. It is only possible by God’s gift of grace. Salvation is a miracle. Good works through wealth, and keeping the law through earnest determination, are actually stumbling blocks to a person’s humble acceptance of the miracle of grace. Our good works alone are not good enough. God must come to the rescue and enable us to demonstrate true goodness. We can’t earn salvation, we aren’t good enough. Only God is. If you’re wealthy, and you’re used to earning your keep, and you hold tight to religion, be careful about what you truly worship. You must become like a child, vulnerable and trusting, and receive God’s gift of salvation to life everlasting.
b. Those who are wealthy are more likely to live with the delusion of self-sufficiency. Jesus tried to poke a hole in the rich man’s inflated sense of independence and goodness, by asking the ruler to give up everything and follow Him. The rich ruler couldn’t do it. He was addicted to his wealth, his identity, his self-reliance, his self-sufficiency. He chose to worship the wrong thing. His identity was so wrapped up in his wealth and all the trappings, he couldn’t see himself doing what Jesus asked. His wealth kept him from a new identity as a follower of Jesus.