"The Joy of Letting Go" - Mark 10:17-31 - October 15, 2000

The most common counseling technique in the last several decades has been behavioral modification. The therapist attempts to change the unhelpful behavior of their client into a behavior that is productive, one that enhances the quality of life rather than destroys it. The leader of this movement was B.F. Skinner. He believed that in one way or another our behaviors can be changed with the use of positive reinforcement.

In these last few chapters of Mark, Jesus, is attempting to change the behavior of the disciples. First, he demonstrates that greatness and success are achieved by being a servant. Rather than strive to "win" we are to be helpers to those around us. It is not position and status that bring us joy, it is serving others.

Jesus goes on to say that we are to be "salty", people who give seasoning to life with our love and positive spirit. We are to be "like children" who are innocent, accepting of others and trusting. And then in this chapter he teaches that giving things away should be at the heart of what we do.

He reinforces the disciples with "life in the kingdom," "blessings," "eternal life," and "a one hundredfold return of families and property." These are rewards for behavior that focus on others rather than ourselves. Society is improved also, as evidenced by the healing that takes place in the midst of the behavior modification lessons.

In other words, we experience joy in life by letting go, serving and giving.

Jesus is on a journey to Jerusalem. Ultimately he will give his life. And, he invites us to follow on that path which leads to life in the kingdom of God, both now and in the future. It is a path of joy, fulfillment and peace. All other paths will lead us nowhere and cause us to come up empty.

This is an invitation, not a mandate. It is an opportunity to modify our daily behaviors, letting go of what we have, as opposed to stockpiling for sometime in the future. It is not just about being good, following the commandments like the man in our story. It is going one step further, "selling what we have and giving it to the poor."

Until now, Jesus was teaching his disciples to think differently, feel differently and believe differently. But now he is running out of time. The only way to get us to change is to get us to behave or act differently. Believing in God is one thing, but doing what God wants us to do is quite another.

I had a bed stored for the last seven years, one that we no longer used. I was made aware of a family who had need and therefore decided to give it away. It was mine, I paid for it. It wasn’t easy to see it leaving in the back of someone else’s van. I had thoughts of giving it to one of my children or grandchildren. But, I realized it served no purpose in storage. Now it once again has a purpose and I have some free space. More importantly it has brought me some personal satisfaction.

That, however was an isolated event. Most of time I find myself just like the man in the story who didn't want to give up what he had. No doubt he had worked hard, was a model citizen, but giving things away was too much. Notice his reaction to Jesus’ words, "he was shocked and went away grieving."

Jesus is saying to us that it is not easy to give things away, our stuff, our money, our time and energy. It is a real challenge. Nevertheless, it can set us free and bring us much joy. What we don’t want to admit to ourselves is that we become addicted to things. They become our "gods" and eventually consume us. Jesus wants us to follow him by letting go of those things that consume us. By holding on we are denying ourselves the opportunity to experience great joy.

Recently our church council committed a small sum of money to help a family who had many needs. The following month we received a thank you letter, with an itemized list of how the money was used; food, medicine, gasoline, diapers, etc. After the letter was read there was a quiet moment. Then one of the council members broke the silence by commenting that hearing the response from the family was absolutely priceless. The value in giving something away outweighed the value of the new carpet about to be installed in the fellowship hall.

We live in prosperous times, yet we are reluctant to give anything away. The need to survive, pay for future medical needs, plan for retirement, or save things in order to pass them on to our families as an inheritance paralyze our ability to let any of it go. We want a spiritual life which is fulfilling and meaningful, but we fail to realize the joy of letting go.

It’s not just stuff that holds us back. Its attitudes, traditions, habits, our entire lifestyles. Its so much easier to continue the status quo, rather than make a conscious decision to live differently. Yet, this is the challenge Jesus offers. It is an invitation to follow with the opportunity to be free.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.