February 15, 2024 -- Mark 10:17-22 -- Jesus and the Rich Young Man - a living lesson

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And 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 bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Mark 10:17-22 ESV

You’re likely thinking to yourself, what would I do in this situation? You might wonder if you are as rich as this Rich Young Man (RYM). You might be wondering if this command applies to you. Here are a couple of points to ponder.

Jesus left the splendours of heaven. He was born in a barn. He had no home. His family thought He was crazy. Jesus is doing precisely what he commanded the RYM to do. He proved it is enough to have treasures in heaven and be content as a wanderer here on earth.

You also might want to consider the fact that the RYM claimed to have kept all the commands since his youth. The goal is to love not the commandments themselves, but by keeping them to set one’s heart and affections on the Living God. So the RYM's reaction to Jesus proved his true loyalty was not to God the Father but set on his treasures.

Finally, to follow Jesus Christ requires one to be prepared to surrender all, or any one thing, any possession to Him at His request. Whatever we have here on earth we keep  in trust for His service. This includes our life. For Jesus Himself was that obedient to His Father. When He was required to lay down His life, He did. Jesus did not require of the RYM anything which He Himself was not prepared to do. How? This by the power of the Holy Spirit Who lived in Jesus’ humanity. The Spirit given to Him without measure (John 3:34). Those who are in Christ are also given the Holy Spirit.

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom: Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Book of Common Prayer, Morning Prayer

https://youtu.be/Pr2RG-xR2lA?si=O-_Sg3wralho_eq2 “Prince of Peace” Celtic Worship

Copyright © 2024 Sh'ma Christian Ministries, All rights reserved.