One thing you lack (14th Jan 2024)
Mark 10:17-31 (21)
(Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”)
In the previous passage, Jesus taught the correct kingdom view on marriage and children. Jesus said that the kingdom of God belongs to those like children who are innocent and trusting, and who come as they are. In today’s passage, Jesus loves and helps a man who seeks eternal life. Jesus also teaches his disciples the principle of salvation. May God open our ears and hearts so that we can find the way to enter the kingdom of God. Let’s pray.
Look at verse 17. “As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?””
We don’t know much about this man, except that he was rich. Matthew identifies him as young (Mt 19:20) and Luke as a ruler (Lk 18:18). So, he was a rich young ruler. He seemed to have all that everyone desired: wealth, youth, and power. Also, he seemed to have lived a good moral life, which is unusual for those who have all these things.
He called Jesus a “good teacher”. Here, the meaning of ‘good’ encompasses what is useful, pleasant, happy, excellent, and honorable. What was his question? He asked “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The concept of inheriting eternal life was common among Jews in that day. It implies that eternal life is something that God grants but only to those who have properly worked to earn it. It was common in that day for a Jewish man to ask a religious leader, such as a rabbi, what he must do to be good. This young man might have visited many rabbis, asking what more good deeds he should do. And he might have diligently practiced what they instructed him. He made every effort to observe not only the Ten Commandments but also all the details of the biblical law, even the extra-biblical traditions taught by the rabbis. Living such a devoted life, he became wealthy and a ruler at a young age. Outwardly, he lived a morally impeccable life. No one doubted that he was happy and satisfied. But surprisingly, he was not. He knew he was missing something. Perhaps he felt like another rich man, King Solomon, who said, “Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly meaningless! (Ecc 1:2).” What was he missing? God created humans in His image. So, humans have both flesh and soul. Importantly, this soul could not be satisfied with only the things of this world. That’s why this man remained dissatisfied even with his wealth, youth and power. His action of running to Jesus and falling on his knees tells us that he was desperate.
How did Jesus respond to the man’s question? Look at verse 18. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. Jesus first raised the issue of who deserves to be called ‘good’. This young man thought of Jesus merely as a morally good person who surpassed himself. He saw Jesus as someone who could guide him to the good deeds he was missing to attain eternal life. The goodness this young man perceived was relative, believing that with more effort, he could reach the level of goodness similar to Jesus. However, Jesus clearly states, “No one is good—except God alone.” Jesus pointed out that true goodness can be found only in God. The standard of goodness is not human beings, but God. Romans 3:10 says “There is no one righteous, not even one;” When measured by God’s standard, no one is righteous, no one is good.
In verse 19, Jesus said “You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” These are the parts of the Ten Commandments particularly about relationships between people. In verse 20, the man declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Wow, he was a remarkable man. How could he say this? Can anyone keep these commandments perfectly? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained the spirit of the law, the true meaning of it. Murder is not just an outward action but includes being angry or upset with others. Adultery is not just an outward act but includes having lustful thoughts (Mt 5:21-30). These are all about our hearts. Who can be free from anger and lustful thoughts? Who can control thoughts in one’s heart completely? This man has kept the law outwardly, but he could not have kept the spirit of the law.
Paul said in Romans 13:9,10 “The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not covet,” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no harm to a neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.” Who can fulfill the law of love perfectly? The function of the law is to help people reflect on their hearts and realize their sins so that they may cry out to God for mercy. Romans 3:20 “Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin.” Through this young man answering that he has kept all the commandments, we can see this man full of self-righteousness and unaware of his sin. How did Jesus help him?
Look at verse 21. Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Jesus loved this man. Despite the fact that this man continued to boast about himself and be unaware of his ignorance, Jesus loved him and tried to help him personally. Recognizing that this man valued his wealth significantly, Jesus challenged him to let it go. Upon hearing what Jesus said, the man was shocked. It was not what he expected to hear from Jesus. He did want to inherit eternal life. But he didn’t want to change his life. He just wanted to make his life better by adding a bit more of Jesus' teachings, holding tightly what he values significantly. Look at verse 22. “At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.” Sadly, he went away because he loved his possessions so much.
Jesus’ words here are personalized for this rich man. So, you're not off the hook just because you’re not rich. Jesus told the man to sell all his possessions because, for him, his wealth was what prevented him from following Jesus. People put the highest value on different things. Let’s think about what you value/cherish the most in your life for a moment. Is it your career, family, recognition from people, health, a comfortable life without problems, or something else? What would you do if Jesus wants you to sell your most valuable thing and follow him? To enter the kingdom of God, we must submit to God’s rule so that God reigns over every aspect of life. Everyone has something they don’t want to give up. Sometimes we try to make a deal with Jesus. But unless we completely surrender to Jesus and accept Him as the Lord of our lives, we cannot enter the kingdom of God. If we surrender our life to Jesus, we will have treasure in heaven. Treasures on earth are temporary and eventually decay, but treasures in heaven are eternal. The ultimate treasure in heaven is Jesus himself. Colossians 2:3 says that in Jesus “are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” In Jesus there is forgiveness of sins, true freedom, peace, and joy, and eternal life.
Jesus said in verse 23 “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at Jesus’ words. The disciples and most people in their day believed material wealth was a sign of God’s blessing. So, the disciples thought rich people are the one who would enter the kingdom of God first. Jesus emphasized in verse 25. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” How can a camel go through the eye of a needle? It’s impossible! Upon hearing this, the disciples were even more amazed, because if it is impossible for the rich to enter the kingdom of God, then certainly poor fishermen like them will be left out. They asked “Who then can be saved?”.
Look at verse 27. Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Jesus’ answer is the basis of the gospel. Salvation from sin and death is possible only with God. There is nothing we can contribute to salvation through our efforts.
Ephesians 2:8-9 says “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Salvation is a gift of God freely given when we believe in the blood of Jesus and his resurrection. Entering the kingdom of God means receiving the reign of God, living not according to my own thoughts and desires but in alignment with what God wants. The kingdom of God is not a destination only after death. If we live on this earth, receiving the rule of God in my life, we are already living in the kingdom of God right now.
Hearing Jesus’ words, Peter said to Jesus. Look at verse 28 “We have left everything to follow you!” Here, we can see a sharp contrast between the rich young man and Jesus’ disciples. By God’s grace, Jesus’ disciples had left everything to follow Jesus. What would happen to Jesus’ disciples? Look at verses 29-30. “Truly I tell you,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.
Following Jesus requires sacrifice. However, Jesus promised he would bless us in this present age - a hundred times more than what we leave behind. Notably, we become members of Jesus’ family. We enjoy a fellowship in Christ that no one in the world can experience. However, at the same time, persecution comes. Through persecution, God purifies our faith and refines our character so that we may grow to be like Jesus. Jesus’ disciples are most blessed, in this life and in the age to come.
As I prepare for the sermon this week, I thank God for reminding me how to enter the kingdom of God. I learned that all I have to do is to surrender to Jesus and leave my life to Him. As I meditated on one thing I lack, I found myself pursuing human praise in my life. Knowing this to be my weakness, I consciously set the direction to live before God.
In the workplace, I aimed to work diligently and honestly with the thought of working before God. However, when I achieved good results at work by God’s help, and received recognition from colleagues, I often found myself thinking highly of my accomplishments.
Discovering my enjoyment of human praise, I tried to let go of it. But just as I realized my sins through the law, I became aware of how deeply sinful I am. Yet, as I meditated on the Word, I realized that Jesus, out of His unconditional grace on the cross, loves me despite my constant stumbling due to sin. He loves me enough to come to me each time, helping me to let go of my greed in this world.
Lord, I pray to surrender my life to You. I pray to make You the Lord of my life and gratefully live in the eternal life given through Your grace. Amen.
In verse 31, Jesus finished with a warning “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” We should not be self-righteous, or complacent. We should always remember that it is also God who caused us to follow Jesus. I pray we may be humble and alert to live for Christ and his kingdom.