Mark 10:17 ¶ 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?”
Mark 10:18 ¶ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone.
Mark 10:19 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.’e”
Mark 10:20 ¶ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
The perfect man comes to Jesus – RICH, YOUNG RULER and asks Jesus how do I inherit eternal life. He thought his financial status, the life ahead of him and his influence in society wold have given him great standing with God. He has been faithful in following the 10 commandments and was considered to be moral – what else can you ask?
Mark 10:21 ¶ Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said.
ONE THING YOU LACK!?!? – Do you mean with all the things I have done I still lack one thing????
Mark 10:21b: “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Mark 10:22 ¶ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Give everything away and come follow me – Jesus said. And the rich man went away sad. Why?
1. He can’t let go of his wealth. His money was more important. His wealth gave him his identity, security and power. His wealth became his god. Money has replaced Jesus in his life. He has become a slave to his money.
2. Because he knew what come and follow me means. Where was Jesus going? He was going to the cross. Cross = death. The rich man knew he had to die in order to live and he can’t make that commitment.
Come follow me is not a light thing. It requires total commitment and full surrender. At the cross is where we experience the power to see our lives transformed. An encounter at the cross would never make us the same. It changes us and gives us a new perspective about life. The cross shows us that it is never about us – it is about Jesus.
Luke 9:24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.
Ready to die?