Treasure in Heaven & Following Jesus
Scripture Readings: Job 23: 1-9 & Mark 10:17-31
Job expresses his deep anguish, feeling that God is distant and silent. He longs to present his case before God, but it seems like God is nowhere to be found (v.3-4). This reflects a struggle with divine silence in times of suffering. Job continues to seek God and believes that if he could find God, he would receive justice (v.6). This highlights perseverance in faith during trials, even without immediate answers.
In Job 23 verse 8, referring to God, Job said, “When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.” No matter where Job looked, north or south, east or west, he could not find God to plead his case. Thus, he could not find the relief he wanted. His search for God seemed to be in vain.
While many people believe and declare that God is here, Job wrestles with the question “Where is God?” in the midst of his suffering and seeks God. Job was left alone in the darkness, and God’s absence has given Job lots of time to think.
Even though Job feels abandoned, his faith suggests that God is still present and knows the way Job takes (v.10). This expresses the tension between human doubt and the persistence of faith, even when God seems hidden.
Many people walk away from God complaining about God’s silence and stillness as they journey through life. But Job, even when he felt he had lost God’s presence, even during incomprehensible suffering, sought God and kept his faith. May we trust in even God’s unseen presence and find hope even in the silence and hiddenness of God.
God is very much aware of the realities of suffering, for Jesus Himself has suffered. In Rome 8, Paul reminds us, in light of Christ’s suffering, that the good news of the gospel is that in Jesus Christ, we know that nothing – not injustice, not suffering, not even an overwhelming sense of God’s absence—can separate us from God’s love. In the love of Christ, we can lament and appeal our case with God even in our cry and bitterness.
Mark 10:17-31 tells the story of the rich young ruler and Jesus’ teaching on treasure in heaven and the challenges of following Him. The rich young man approaches Jesus with a sincere question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” His eagerness and desire for eternal life are commendable, but his focus is on doing rather than being in relationship with God.
Jesus redirects him to focus on the heart of faith and shows that eternal life is not earned through merit but through transformation and following Jesus.
Jesus looks at the young man with love and gives him a radical invitation: “Sell everything you have and give to the poor… then come, follow me.” Jesus highlights the challenge of giving up earthly possessions, suggesting that true discipleship involves sacrifice and prioritizing God’s kingdom over material wealth. It is the only instance of someone coming to Jesus with a need and leaving without the need being filled. No matter how much we are loved by God, He will not override our choices.
As seen in young man’s case, Jesus’ love comes before the command. Whatever he commands us to do is because of his love for us. His command to the man to “follow me” came while he was on his way to Jerusalem, where he would die for us all. What is clear is that Jesus loved us first before he invited and commanded us to follow him. Jesus, who loved us even unto death, calls us to walk the way of discipleship.
In verse 23, Jesus points out the difficulty for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, comparing it to a camel passing through the eye of a needle. The message is not that wealth is inherently evil, but that it can dominate our hearts and lead to misplaced priorities, distracting us from trusting God fully. Today’s text invites us to reflect on what might be holding us back from fully following Jesus.
There are times when the pursuit of wealth or other comforts, or giving in to the temptations of the world, can interfere with our relationship with God and prevent us from following Jesus Christ fully. As the Lord promises heavenly treasures to followers of Christ, may we consider together where our treasure is.
In verse 27, the disciples are astonished, wondering, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus reassures them that salvation is not about human ability but about God’s grace. Jesus tells His disciples that salvation is impossible by human effort, but with God, all things are possible. This emphasizes the theme of divine grace and power over human limitation.
In verse 28, Peter mentions how they left everything to follow Jesus. Jesus promises them that those who sacrifice for Him will receive a hundredfold reward in this life – as well as eternal life in the next. Mark 10 ends with a reversal of expectations: “Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Following Jesus requires humility, trust, and a willingness to abandon worldly standards of achievement. May we live with an eternal perspective, knowing that the sacrifices made for the kingdom of God are never in vain and will be rewarded in ways that transcend material possessions.
As Jesus invites the rich young man to give to the poor, may we think about ways we can live generously today and tomorrow. Are we willing to give sacrificially to those in need, not only financially but also with our time, energy, and resources?
Many people struggle with the fear of not having enough, but may we trust God’s provision. Following Jesus means trusting that God will provide for our and people’s needs when we and they are aligned with His will. May we release our anxiety over material things and to trust in God’s faithfulness.
Jesus flips the worldly values upside down. May we embrace the values of God’s kingdom over earthly success. Let us redefine success in our lives, not by how much we accumulate but by how faithfully we follow Jesus and serve others.
Job longs for justice from God in his suffering. In Mark, following Jesus involves sacrifice, but there is a reward beyond earthly suffering. Both texts reflect the idea that God sees the suffering of the faithful and that there is a divine reward for perseverance, whether in this life or the next.
Jesus promises that those who make sacrifices for His sake will be richly rewarded both in this life through spiritual blessings, community, and lifelong journey of faith and in the life to come. May we focus on eternal rewards rather than immediate gratification.
In Job, God seems distant and hidden during suffering, while in Mark, Jesus speaks of God’s ability to do what seems impossible. In both Scripture readings, God’s ways may seem hidden during our trials, but God’s power is always at work, even when unseen.
Job holds onto faith despite the silence of God, reflecting perseverance in difficult times. In Mark, Jesus calls for radical trust in God’s ability to make the impossible possible. Both passages encourage unwavering faith, even when circumstances are unclear or seem unbeatable
Following Jesus and the journey toward the kingdom of God are possible only through God’s grace and strength, not by human effort alone. In the love of Christ, may we find our true greatness, our true wealth serving the Lord and others. Let us accumulate heavenly treasures as true disciples who follow the Lord throughout our lives.
Thanks be to God. Amen.
(Ref. Bible, commentaries, theological books, UCA materials)