Can the Wealthy Follow Jesus?

Can the wealthy of this world find Jesus?
Can the powerful come to him?
Yes
But the call is not merely to encounter him,
But to follow
Which requires a different cost.

They arrive with layers of protection
They hide their nakedness behind expensive clothing
Robes of self-made righteousness
Purchased with power and wealth
It comforts them
Gives them security
Belonging
A false sense of endless life
But eventually the powerful
Realize even with layers

Bodies grow weak
Loved ones get sick
Children die
And money cannot fix
Broken marriages or addictions

Are the weak and despised of the world more righteous?
Are they more holy because they’re poor?
No
But they arrive naked, hungry and excluded
They are seen.
Jesus is their reward

They arrive in scraps
Barely hiding their nakedness
Behind tattered clothes from unrighteous blows
Resisting injustice or simply trying to exist
They too crave comfort
Protection, power
Belonging and to be seen
To escape from their tired life
But all they have are scraps to grasp

Jesus tells their weak bodies, “Welcome”
He bids the outcast, join
He raises children from the dead
And provides them their daily bread
He shines light into senseless actions

Jesus tells the wealthy, leave it and follow me
Because he loves them
And knows their robes of righteousness
And false security
Can never save them or satisfy their deepest longings
Their hoarding harms his weak sons and daughters

Jesus tells the despised of the world, “Come in!”
Beloved, raise your head high
Let go of the scraps,
Though terrifying
Put on my robes
Come, be my sons and daughters!”

Powerful and poor stand level
Before the throne of God
They encounter the same Christ
Who knows them
Makes, to each, a different

The rich young ruler
Walked away sad
His wealth too great
But his beloved daughter
Pushed her way in
Passing by the judgment
Weeping at his feet