We all know the verses of scripture most likely to greet us on a coffee cup, bumper sticker or wall poster. Sometimes these verses keep us going and lift our spirits. Jeremiah 29:11 pops up frequently: “For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the LORD, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.” Romans 8:28 receives much attention: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” Philippians 4:13 even peeks out at us from the bottom of athletic shoes: “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” 

            We should take care with interpretation and even translation of these verses. We should dig deep into the verses to get the full meaning, but, in a pinch, they can keep us afloat when we are just treading spiritual water. Verses like these provide some inspiration when we don’t have time to do real study. 

            We never see the verses of today’s passage used that way. No one ever buys a cup with verse 21 on it: “Jesus looking at him, loved him and said, ‘You lack one thing; go, sell what you own, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’” Even with the promise of treasure in heaven, we don’t find this passage inspiring. We want to hurry past it, to get to the coffee cup verses. We don’t want to read this story, and when we do read it, we want to find a way to wiggle out of it. 

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