30 days with Jesus (day 18) - Jesus confronts the rich young ruler - Mark 10:17-31

Good morning all. God is good all the time, all the time God is good.  TOO BLESSED TO COMPLAIN!!

  What is your life worth?  Thousands of dollars?  Your material possessions?  Millions of dollars?  Hmmm!  Let us look at the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-31

  Well, Jesus is on his way to Jerusalem and look, here comes a young man running to him.  This young man knelt and and aked "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

   Wow, what a great question that we all have most likely had at one time or another.  How may I have eternal life?  How may I live forever.   First, Jesus asks why do you call me good?  Only God is truly good.  Then Jesus answers the question and asks do you know the commandments?

  Well, of course the young man responds that he has kept the commandments ever since he was young.  In verse 21 you will see Jesus looked at him and felt genuine love for him. Question:  Could genuine love mean agape love?  Unconditional love?

  Then in verse 21 Jesus says, " One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me."

   Then if we view verse 22 the man's face fell, he was sad, and went away as he had many possession.  We have read the Bible, we know what it says, and it is easy for us to think how could he walk away?  Well, what if you were told - go sell everything, take up your cross and follow Jesus.  Yes, leave your comfort zone, now, today.  Really, WHAT WOULD YOU DO?  It is easy to give lip service and say 'oh, yeah, I could do that' but could you really.

  For this young man money and possessions represented his pride of accomplishment.and self effort. (Notice S E L F) No reliance on God.  This young man could not turn his whole heart and life over to God.

  When Jesus told him to sell all and follow this is not necessarily what we are being told.  The point here is proper priorities should be in place.  Our possessions are okay, however, they should not come before following Jesus.  If my first thought is not Jesus Christ when I wake, what is it the most important?  Is it or am I prioritizing as God would want me to?

  Verse 23 Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.  There are many interpretations of this verse; basically Jesus is saying we need not rely on ourselves, but rather rely on God to carry us on and through.  A rich may have a void they try to fill with material things; whereas, the ones who rely on God have that void filled with the good news of salvation and eternal life.

  The disciples said, then who can be saved (verse 26). Jesus replies 'humanly speaking it is impossible. But with God all things are possible'.  Then here comes Peter again, the bold, brassy, and aggressive one speaking up- We've given up everything to follow you.'  Then Jesus responds with:

Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's,
³⁰ But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
³¹ But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

  Jesus assured the disciples that anyone who give up something valuable for his sake will be repaid a hundred times over in this life, although not necessarily in the same way.   Along with these rewards we may experience persecution because the world hates God.  Jesus emphasized persecution to make sure that people do not selfishly follow him only for the rewards.

  Verse 31- Jesus explains that in the world to come, the values of this world will be reversed.  Those who seek status and importance here will have none in heaven.  Those who are humble here will be great in heaven. 

  The corrupt conditions of our society encourages confusion in values.  We are bombarded by messages that tell us how to be important and how to feel good.  Jesus' teaching about service to others seems alien.  Those who have humbly served others are most qualified to be great in heaven.

  Be humble yet bold for Christ my friend.  Love you all. 

In Christ's Love and Grace

Johnny