Possessions Don’t Help You Obtain Eternal Life
October 24, 2022
Commentary
Jesus was often criticized for spending too much time with the wrong kind of people. Even the disciples thought He should be spending more time with what they considered the important people. Jewish mothers wanted their children to be blessed by what they considered a distinguished Rabbi so they brought their children to Jesus. The disciples could see that Jesus was under a lot of strain at this time and so they did not want Him to be bothered by these children and thus tried to protect Him (v. 13). When Jesus saw what was happening He was upset and told the disciples to let these children come to Him (vv. 14-15). As He took them up in His arms He explained how that anyone expecting to enter the Kingdom of God must come with a child-like faith (v. 16).
Next comes the story of the rich young ruler who came running and knelt before Jesus along the road asking for spiritual help and questioning how he could obtain eternal life (v. 17). Jesus knew this man had his heart so much on earthly possessions that he would have to entirely part with them before he could become a Christian (vv. 18-20). He asked the man to sell all that he had and give it to others in need (v. 21). When the man heard this he said,"I want it, but I don’t want it bad enough to do that” (v. 22). Here is the only man in the New Testament of whom it is said that he went away sad from the presence of the Lord, though many of them were sad when they came to Him. This earnest seeker failed the test. Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master. If you possess money, be grateful and use it for God’s glory; if money possesses you, beware.
This story lays down the essential Christian truth that respectability is not enough. Jesus’ question to this man was very straight forward, “With all your possessions, with your wealth, with all that you could give away, what positive good have you done to others? How much have you gone out of your way to help and comfort and strengthen others as you might have done?” Respectability, on the whole, consists in not doing things; Christianity consists of doing things. That was precisely where this man, like so many of us, fell down.
Application
Ask - What is one of my most valuable possessions? Why do I value it? Is there anything that I need to give up to serve the Lord?
Mark 10:13– 22 (NET)
13 Now people were bringing little children to him for him to touch, but the disciples scolded those who brought them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me and do not try to stop them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 15 I tell you the truth, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 After he took the children in his arms, he placed his hands on them and blessed them.
17 Now as Jesus was starting out on his way, someone ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” 20 The man said to him, “Teacher, I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.” 21 As Jesus looked at him, he felt love for him and said, “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.