*Mark 10:17-31
Jesus challenges a rich young ruler to prioritize following him and God’s will over material possessions.
- Encounter with the Rich Young Man:
- As Jesus sets out on a journey, a rich young man approaches, kneels, and asks how he can inherit eternal life.
- Jesus points him to the commandments, which the man claims to have kept from his youth.
- Challenge to Sell Possessions:
- Jesus looks at him with love and tells him that he lacks one thing: he should sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Jesus.
- The man is disheartened by the command and walks away sorrowfully because he has great wealth.
- Teaching on Wealth:
- Jesus reflects on how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.
- He uses the analogy of a camel passing through the eye of a needle to illustrate the difficulty.
- The disciples are astonished and wonder who can be saved.
- Assurance from Jesus:
- Jesus responds that it’s impossible for humans, but not for God; with God, all things are possible.
- Peter’s Question:
- Peter notes that the disciples have left everything to follow Jesus.
- Promise of Rewards:
- Jesus promises that those who have left family and possessions for his sake and the gospel will receive a hundred times more now, including homes, family, and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life.
- He concludes with the reminder that many who are first will be last, and the last first.
10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 10:18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
10:19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. 10:20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
10:21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, 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.
10:22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
10:23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 10:24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 10:25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
10:26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 10:27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.
10:28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
10:29 And Jesus answered and said, 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, 10:30 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.
10:31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.