We Cannot Take His Word about the First Being Last and the Last First as His Last Word to Us

(Visible Words by Chris E.W. Green)

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Notice— to the list Jesus adds a brand-new commandment. Along with, “Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness” he adds “don’t defraud.” 

The lectionary Gospel passage for Sunday is Mark 10.17-31.

“Good teacher,” the rich man beckons Jesus. But Jesus refuses the compliment, “Why call me good?  None is good but God alone.” Luther says that Jesus comes dangerously close to denying his divinity in this exchange.

Jesus didn’t scold the rich man for his question. Quite the opposite, he proceeded to give a list of what needed doing: “You know the commandments,” he said.

Why tally up commandments if there was nothing to be done? 

And to the list Jesus adds a brand-new commandment, at least, according to the best manuscript tradition. Along with, “Don’t murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness” he adds “don’t defraud.” 

Was this a hint; was the rich man enjoying ill-gotten gains? At any rate, the man replies, “Teacher, I’ve kept them all, plus the one you’ve added.”

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