Psalm 49.1-3 7-10, Genesis 40.1-23, Mark 10.32-52 - Lectionary for 4/1/11

Today's readings are Psalm 49.1-3, 7-10, Genesis 40.1-23, and Mark 10.32-52.

You can't take it with you. We toil and labor to gather what we have but we realize we won't get to keep it. Maybe we can gain some enjoyment from what we earn, maybe we can pass some of it along to our heirs. But in the end we cannot keep what we get by our own strength. The rich and the poor, the wise and the fool, all of them die. The baker in Genesis dies quickly, but the cupbearer whose life is spared also eventually dies. Bartimaeus is given his sight but he will lose it again as he closes his eyes in death. James and John look to the coming kingdom, a kingdom which they don't sit in now. And Jesus tells that he will die and rise again to bring all this to pass. You can't take it with you. But by faith we receive the promise Jesus has given. He has gone ahead of us. He himself is the resurrection and the life. He will bring us to the life that will last. You can't take it with you. But Jesus has already provided it for you in eternity.

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Dave Spotts
blogging at http://capnsaltyslongvoyage.blogspot.com