An Overheard Conversation (Mark 10:17-31)

An Overheard Conversation
Mark 10:17-31

INTRODUCTION:
Last week, we meditated on the blessings of being a giver rather than a receiver. In Mark 10, we overhear a conversation between a young, wealthy man and Jesus. Keep in mind that, just as we have today, Jews in Jesus’ day believed that if you were wealthy, then that was a sign from God that He was pleased with you. It is so very dangerous to equate wealth with righteousness or, conversely, poverty with sinfulness.

The OT teaches that prosperity is a blessing from God: Deut. 28:1-14; Job 1:10; 42:10; Psalm 128; Prov. 10:22. It was a short jump from that theme to believing (incorrectly) that if one was wealthy, then God was pleased with one’s behavior.

“This man had climbed to the top of the ladder of success, only to find his ladder leaned against the wrong building. … He also did not choose to love God more than his wealth, even though Jesus specifically promised him treasure in heaven. The man was more interested in the earthly treasure of men than in God’s heavenly treasures. The man was essentially an idolater. Wealth was his god instead of the true God of the Bible. He put money first” (David Guzik.

WHAT MUST I DO TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE? - 10:17-22:
Jesus resumes His travel to Jerusalem (ver. 17; see verse 32) and a young man runs up to Him, kneels before Him, and addresses Him as “Good teacher.” It is clear this man is serious and respectful to Jesus. He wants to know what he needs to do to “inherit eternal life,” or to “be saved.” Of course, he still lived under the Law of Moses, so Jesus will quote from the Law. Matthew refers to him as “young” (19:20) while Luke identifies him as a “ruler” (18:18).

First, however, Jesus draws attention to the man’s address to Jesus as “Good teacher” (ver. 18). No one is inherently good, except God “alone.” In this context, we believe Jesus is drawing this man’s attention to the “good God” who alone can tell man what to do to “inherit eternal life.” Jesus is certainly not disavowing His own deity! But also, we’re not sure the man would draw the conclusion, simply based on Jesus’ statement in verse 18, that Jesus is equal to the “good God.” However, Mark’s account of the life of Jesus is intended to prove to the reader that Jesus is equal to the “good God.”

What did the good God say to do to inherit eternal life? In verse 19, Jesus quotes six of the Ten Commandments: Do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness (in court of law), or defraud; also honor your parents. These commandments are excellent principles for everyone to live by in their lives. As we noted above, “defraud” is substituted for the word “covet” perhaps because “defrauding” was a common way of “coveting” in the times of Jesus.

To this statement, the young man responded that he had done that since his youth (ver. 20). We should not be surprised at this statement nor think that the man was inappropriately bragging. The apostle Paul will say that relative to the righteousness that was required by the law, he was without blame (Phil. 3:6). What this means is that when they did violate the law, they would perform the sacrifices, rituals, and vows which the Law required. What the statement in verse 20 shows is that this young man was a serious Jew, but he was not saved.

Jesus looked intently into the man’s heart and felt love for him (ver. 21), which motivated Jesus to be honest with him. There was one thing remaining for this man to do: “sell all you possess and give to the poor.” In that way, the man could have his treasure in heaven. In essence, Jesus was telling him to “cut off his hand” or “pluck out his eye” (see 9:42-48). Then he could follow Jesus. It is clear from the subsequent text that this man was wealthy and loved his wealth and trusted that since he was wealthy, then God must have been largely pleased with him, at least with that aspect of his life. But he was trusting in his material possessions and not in his spiritual relationship with God, through Jesus Christ.

Subsequently, the man became extremely sad; his whole face took on a dark, somber mood as he went away “grieving” (ver. 22). Mark tells us the problem was that this man had “much property.”

Jesus shares the Ten Commandments (see Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:6-21) which deal with intra-human relationships. He cites the commandments in this order: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 5. However, Jesus changes “do not covet” to “do not defraud,” probably because “defrauding” was a practical application of coveting which was widely practiced in His time.God promised Israel life and blessings if they would obey His commandments: Leviticus 18:5; 25:18; Deut. 30:15-16.

“To keep God’s commandments” does not mean that one believes he or she is saved by “works.” Obedience to God’s commandments is not the same thing as “salvation through works.” Even under the Law of Moses, Jews had to understand they were saved by faith in God (Hab. 2:4). Trust in God motivates one to fulfill God’s commandments and any requirements or stipulations God gives in order to be saved.

Jesus does not require all disciples to sell all they have in order to be right with Him. If everyone did this, the whole church of Christ would become beggars! The point, however, is the same as the teaching given in 8:34-38 and 9:43-48: we should not allow anything (including our possessions!) to separate us from an obedient life before Jesus Christ. Zacchaeus gave generously, but freely (Luke 19:8-10), as did Barnabas (Acts 4:36-37). The danger of wealth does not mean it is sinful to be wealthy.

So dangerous it is to believe that wealth is a sign that God is pleased with one’s behavior or teaching, Jesus warned extensively about trusting in wealth: Mark 4:19; Matt. 6:19-34; Luke 12:13-34; 16:1-15, 19-31; 19:1-10.

WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED? - 10:23-31:
Once the ruler had left, Jesus looked around and saw His disciples, and stated a general principle (ver. 23): “How hard it will be for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” This turned upside down a basic theology of that time, and today. Everyone generally thinks that wealth is an indication that God is pleased with someone and therefore, that person is saved (or teaching the truth). The OT taught, in fact, that material blessings are from God. Here in this paragraph, the apostles were astounded at Jesus’ statement. So Jesus repeated Himself and then illustrated the difficulty.

A camel was the largest animal known commonly among those living in Palestine (ver. 25). Camels could go through the hole of a needle before a rich man, who “trusts in riches” should be understood, can enter the kingdom of God! Knowing human nature, Jesus knew that man is too prone to trust in his wealth rather than in the words of Christ in order to know if he is right with God. Once again, the apostles were astounded at such a saying (ver. 26), asking “Who then could be saved?”

Jesus responds by pointing out that salvation by men is impossible but not with God (ver. 27). With God, salvation and everything else is possible. That’s why it is so imperative for us to know God’s teachings, believe God’s teachings, and follow God’s teachings. He is the “good teacher” (see verse 18).

As a follow-up to this discussion, Peter states that he and the other apostles had left everything and had started following Jesus (ver. 28). The implied question was: “What’s in it for us?” So Jesus answers in verse 29, stating that no one who has put Jesus and His teachings above their family will be ignored. The inclusion of “children” implies some of the apostles, like Peter, were married (1:30; see also 1 Corinthians 9:5). Rather, they will receive “a hundred times in the present age” (along with persecutions) and eternal life in the age to come (ver. 30).

The reference to a “hundred times more” in this life is a hyperbole but a general statement. In other words, it is true that God gives material prosperity and, if one is faithful, generally speaking, he will prosper. But, at the same time, Jesus promised that this prosperity is likely going to be accompanied by persecutions. Persecution has been a part of Jesus’ ministry throughout Mark’s account of His life: 2:6-7; 3:2, 6, 21-22; 6:2-4 and will be until the end: 8:31; 9:31; 10:32-34.

To restate another principle from 8:34-38, Jesus says in 10:31: “Many who are first will be last, and the last, first.” That is, those who put themselves before others, for their own benefit (which the wealthy usually do), will be last in the eyes of God. And those who put themselves last (as children might do, out of humility), will be first in the eyes of God (see also Matt. 20:16; Luke 13:30).

CONCLUSION:
The temptation to trust in wealth still exists for modern Christians and the NT warns often about the dangers of wealth. But, the Christian should also trust that God will provide for his or her faithfulness and happiness, in this lifetime, but more especially in the life to come.

Take home message: We absolutely must keep our priorities in order: faithfulness to God comes first, accumulating material wealth is second.