Janice, you crack me up. I do believe that Jesus actually said it, but to fortify my position and defense of it— not self-piosity (not a word) Jesus speaks of the more serious lack of wealth in Matthew, Chapter 5, also known as the Sermon on the Mount, more specifically, the Beatitudes, which I have all kinds of trouble obeying. He says: Blessed are the poor in spirit. It is a profound statement which covers pretty much everyone. I don't think he was talking about self-help courses there. All the lost will ever have is what they attain in this life. The "you can't take it with you" saying is apt. So the lost are just as truly poor as the poorest beggar who ever lived. I think what Jesus was doing in Mark was setting the whole thing up so that it would be undeniable that He alone could make a man rich {in spirit} {alive spiritually} and make the poor, who are truly poor in possession and spirit, able to obtain faith, which as you know, is a dangerous thing. It levels the playing field, because in the end, we (the redeemed) win. Judas had a predetermined role to play and obviously, appropriately held the bag. (was left holding the bag) Since he was never a true believer, he was truly bereft in the end, where the Pharisees buried him in Potter's field. paying for it with the sellout. Most intellectuals that I know are not Christians, neither are many rich people. They find no need of God. God is viewed as an unnecessary crutch for weak-minded people.
I am not aware of serious Bible scholars dissing Mark. Mark's approach has always seemed a little strange to me though.
You too, Janice.
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