1. First things first: Mark 10:17-21 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?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “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 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 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.”
This man is like a typical American- has lots of stuff & is religious. Goes to church, knows some of the Bible & can even quote it. Looks humble- fell on his knees, sincere. But Jesus’ response is puzzling??? “Why do you call ME good… no one is good- except God alone”. Jesus saw through his duplicity and into the real heart of this man. He wanted to be GOOD enuff and for Jesus to see how awesome he was and so just let him have eternal life- due to his “goodness”.
Most Americans think they too are good, yet: the U.S. population hit 300 million in 2006- and there were 1.4 million violent crimes, 17k murders & manslaughter, 92k forcible rapes, 447k robberies, 860k aggrivated assults, 2.1 million burgularies, 6.6 million thefts, 1.2 million vehichle thefts. That does not include lies, unwed pregnancies, lust, immorality, abuse, hatred and so many other sins. Well- that’s not me, we say… so what is it you struggle with? Like the rich young ruler, we want someone to just tell us we are “ok” and good enough to make it into Jesus kingdom without him being King.
Look at 2 Timothy 3:1-5 But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God- 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
You can find plenty of preachers who will tell you just what you want to hear but Jesus’ answer to us is simply- give up everything you have, then follow me! Give up the sin, the stuff that consumes your heart, the pride, the ungratefulness, the form of godliness and be a real disciple! It’s so easy to be a fake christian and not really live the life…yet Luke
2. At this his face fell: Mark 10:22-26 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the
Adrienne Becerra is baptized and is joyfully joined by her sister and mother!
Face fell- like a kid asking for a big piece of chocolate cake for breakfast and mom & dad say no…soooo disappointed, yet why? He went away sad because his gods were wealth, comfort and religiosity. Never caught this before- the disciples were sad too! Truth is- it is hard to enter the kingdom. John 3:1-7 teaches us that in order to enter the kingdom it takes a radical change. So radical that Nicodemus could not believe it! Born again- totally new life & purpose and nothing less! If you are not so changed from what you were in the world that it is shocking- you are not a true disciple and will walk away sad because you have a price. Does your face fall when you read scriptures like this or do you get fired up?
3. Issue is faith and love for God: Mark
So often we take this scripture out of context and talk about cranking at our jobs etc. because all things are possible… but what is Jesus talking about? He is saying anyone can be saved, even if WE think it is impossible. Even that rich guy down the street or the phony religious person that seems hopeless. Yes even you, if you are lukewarm- with God and your heart to repent. Is it possible to give up everything and follow Jesus? Yes, it takes all of our hearts being in love with God and real faith. Faith that Jesus’ plans for your life are better than
4. Truth about being totally sold-out: Mark 10:28-31 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “I tell you the truth,” 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 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields-and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
The apostles prove that it is possible to give up everything and gain everything Jesus promises. A promise comes with giving up everything you have- you will receive 100X as much! My story: when I first started going to the church my family not happy, friends gone, girlfriends left, year after year not exactly where I wanted to be financially- yet God has blessed me more than I could ever have known! Now I have family around the world and have been able to see many of them and even helped start 3 churches- God gave me an amazing wife, 3 beautiful children, more family than ever & $ issues are totally amazing every year. The truth is, there is a promise attached to total commitment and with trusting Jesus’ plan. Our lives will be blessed a hundred times as much! And with it- persecutions! Are you living this truth or still “kicking the tires” and holding on to the world?
5. His way is to the cross: Mark 10:32-34 They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the Twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. 33 “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, 34 who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.”
Honestly, I would have felt the same way- astonished and afraid. I think the crowd just thinned out and our hearts are exposed too. His way is the only way and it can be terrifying because it leads to the cross. To literally dying to yourself every day. Do you really want to follow Jesus? What is the one thing you lack? Is it that you have a form of godliness without power, is it American security & religiosity, is it faith to believe it’s possible, is it that you struggle with trusting the Word or is it the cross? What is the one thing so many lack? Take the first letter from each point, it spells FAITH! With faith fully in Jesus as Lord, we in fact can live the life he calls us to and we can live it powerfully!
He stoops down to make us great,
Matt Sullivan
