A simple solution
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?”
Mark 10:17 (ESV)
Mark is telling us about a man with wealth and with a position of authority in the nation, who has come to Jesus. He seems to have arrived with a troubled mind. What has he got to do to be sure that he will have eternal life? Jesus starts with the commandments. But the man replies that he’s been keeping them since he was a child. Is he wanting assurance that what he is doing is Ok, that it’s enough to get him eternal life? If so, he is going to be disappointed. Jesus gives him the opposite of reassurance by exposing the limits of his law keeping and tells 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.” (v.21)
That’s not what the man wanted to hear. That is just too much to ask for. He turns round and walks away. Jesus turns round to the disciples. “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” he tells them (v.23).
The disciples are flabbergasted: “Then who can be saved?” “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God”, replies Jesus. (Mark 10:26-27).
So what about the rich man? When he came up to Jesus to unburden himself of his worries, he had knelt before him. When he found what was required of him, he turned away, totally disheartened. All he had to do was to turn back to Jesus, fall down his knees again and confess that he couldn’t do what Jesus asked and beseech his help. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden…” says Jesus (Matthew 11:28 NKJV). What a simple solution.
Prayer
Father, when faced with something we cannot face, when challenged to do something we cannot do, may we turn to our compassionate and loving Saviour and, through your grace, receive the help and strength we need. Amen.
Study by Hilary Buck
About the writer:
Hilary Buck is a Minister and pastors the Lewes congregation of Grace Communion International.
Local congregation:
Grace Communion in Lewes
The House of Friendship
208 High Street
Lewes
BN7 2NS
Meeting time:
Sunday 11:00am
Local congregational contact:
Hilary Buck
Email: lewes@gracecom.church
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Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church