We Sold Out

 In today’s Gospel, our Lord gets very matter-of-fact with His Apostles.  St. Mark records that they were amazed.  At this point of the Lord’s ministry, after witnessing so many healings, raisings from the dead, expulsions of demons, what is left that could amaze them?  But even more to the point, St. Mark records not only their perplexity, but he says they were afraid.  When you find yourself standing beside the One Who worked all these miraculous deeds, what could bring you fear?

To understand, perhaps we should again go backward in the scripture a few verses to where we find our Lord in His encounter with the rich young ruler.  What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?  We can imagine that the Apostles had pondered this same question.  In our Lord’s answer, He leads the man to the place where He points to that which has anchored him tightly to this earth, so tightly that consideration of the heavenly isn’t possible.  Sell what you have, give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then take up the cross and follow Me.

When the young man leaves the Lord troubled by His words, the Apostles remain confused.  Who then can be saved?  Do we all see their focus on eternal life even at this juncture? 

It is Peter who speaks for the group.  We have left all and followed You.  He is asking, “Are WE to find a place in heaven?

It is in response to this verbal exchange that the Lord again explains to them what lay ahead—His arrest and execution, but also His Resurrection.

One would think at these words from Jesus the Apostles amazement would be multiplied.  But it is the sons of Zebedee who ignore the implications of the Lord’s prophetic view of the next several days and instead ask boldly for their own places within His kingdom.

Jesus admonishes their selfish request gently, explaining that He as God came not to be served, but to serve, and this is “the way” for any who choose to follow where He has led us as His sheep.

Jesus ends this exchange with these words related to His coming as a Servant, stating finally that He came to give His life a ransom for many.

Ransom.  At first encounter, perhaps we find this a strange word for the Lord to use.  But the Word of God uses words that are in every case selected to be proper to teach us about our salvation.  This is no different!

Ransom—noun.  A price paid or demanded for release of a captive.  That’s us, my friends.  We’re held captive.  We’ve “sold out” via our sins and are held in captivity with no hope for release.

Except for One.  There IS One Hope that we have.  Our Lord’s words in today’s Gospel say that He has come to give His life a ransom for many.  We know that “many” includes only one group—those who choose to follow the commandments of our Savior.  To accept baptism.  To partake in His precious Body and Blood.  To serve the least of His brethren.  To give to the poor.  To heal and visit the sick and imprisoned.  To be reflections of our Savior while we remain in this world.  He came into this world to redeem those of us who have "sold out", to save all who seek Him in faith and love.  By His death and Resurrection, He has paid our ransom in His love for us!