Mark 9 - 10

The Rich Young Ruler

In Mark 10:17-22, the story of the rich, young ruler is told (see also Matt. 19:16-22 and Luke18:18-23). The young man is obviously sincere and perceives Jesus as one knowledgeable in the Scripture and the Law.  His approach is correct, kneeling before Jesus and addressing him as "Teacher/Rabbi" (v.17).  The ruler calls Jesus "good" which provokes a curious response from Jesus. "Why do you call me good?" (v. 18).  Even though Jesus was the only person on Earth deserving this accolade, He knew that the young man's praise was misplaced and thus Jesus reminds him that "Only God is truly good..." (v. 18).

The young ruler (who remains nameless) asks Jesus a vital question, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"  This is a question every person should ask. We must know God's plan for our life and the role He wants us to perform.  Jesus' answer is curious in that He enumerates some of the Ten Commandments. This was not to imply that merely keeping the commandments enabled one to receive eternal life, rather Jesus used this to gauge the spiritual understanding of the young man.  We find out that he has kept the commandments from his youth.  He must have been raised to honor God and obey his parents and had a deep familiarity with the Law.  However, the man knew enough to know that he still needed more.

The Bible says that "Jesus felt genuine love for him."  The word translated "love" is the Greek word agapao   meaning the love God has for us, a love beyond phileo love, which is the love a man feels for his wife or children. The Lord was interested in his soul and began to discern his life. Jesus' answer this time was a simple one, "Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." (v. 21). This was not the answer the rich, young ruler expected, but it was the answer he needed to hear. At this point he was presented a choice that required a decision that would affect the course of his life. Unfortunately, he made the wrong choice. He was sad because he had many possessions and could not find it in his heart to give them up.

This is the same type of answer the Lord gives all of us. He wants us to follow Him, but He also wants us to give up the things we are tied to in this life. The things we will put ahead of Him. The choice presented can be difficult when viewed from a historical perspective. We have worked hard to attain our possessions. We have made sacrifices and attained knowledge and influenced people to get where we are. When we survey our past in the light of the present, we struggle to just give it all up.  But, if we view the choice from the perspective of our destiny, our future, the decision is clear.  Nothing we have gained in this life is worth what we will gain with a life dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ.

In 10:29-30, Jesus puts the correct perspective on the decision and choice. "I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Gospel's, will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property-along with persecutions. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life."  This should make the choice self-evident.