*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.
Mark 10:17-31 reminds us that following Jesus means putting Him first in our lives. The rich man wanted eternal life but struggled to give up his wealth. This teaches us that we shouldn’t let money, possessions, or anything else take God’s place in our hearts. Jesus also promises that when we make sacrifices for Him, we will receive even greater blessings. In our daily lives, we can trust God to provide for us and focus on what truly matters—loving Him and helping others—rather than chasing after wealth or success.
Mark 10:17-31 (WEB)
10:17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 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 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”28 Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”29 Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”