Oct. 25, 2009
Background Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
Devotional Reading: Proverbs 11:1-7

The man who approaches Jesus in Mark 10:17 is usually referred to as “the rich young ruler,” although Mark simply calls him “a man.” Matthew indicates only that he is “a young man” (Mt. 19:20), and Luke refers to him only as “a ruler” (Lk. 18:18). John does not mention him – but three out of four is pretty good!

Mark includes an important detail missing in the other two gospels: this “man” “ran up and knelt before him …” This helps us to understand the urgency and overflowing emotion that brought him to Jesus. Mark presents him as an importunate person, one who is urgent and persistent in his solicitation (see Luke 11:5-8.).

So, this was no idle question he brought to Jesus, but one of great personal importance to him: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” In this one sentence there are two red flags.
First, he calls Jesus, “Good teacher,” and Jesus replies sharply: “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone.” Jesus realizes that this man seeks to get on his good side by buttering him up a little.

A tad more perfect

Second, the man assumes that eternal life is dependent upon something that he can do – and actually, it seems that the man probably assumes that he has already done, or almost done, all that is needed. He can’t think of one thing, but maybe Jesus can come up with something to make his record a tad more perfect.
Reminded of the commandments, he is delighted: “Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth” (10:20). Perhaps he has come for congratulation, instead of counsel. He reminds us of “Jack Horner” who sat in a corner, stuck in his thumb and pulled out a plum and said, “What a good boy am I!”

Mark then records something truly remarkable: “And Jesus looking upon him loved him …” He has unintentionally revealed a serious fault – yet, Jesus loved him. He gives him a chance to be, not what he has been and still is, but what he can be: “You lack one thing; go sell what you have, and give to the poor” (10:21).

But instead of joy, “his countenance fell, and he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions” (10:22).

Respectable disciples?

The man apparently believed that he already was almost worthy of eternal life. He didn’t harm anyone and consider that all too often our society judges us as essentially “good” if we do no harm. If we don’t get roaring drunk, beat our spouse or children, keep the lawn mowed and give a friendly wave now and then, we are probably judged as “good neighbors.”

One definition of a Christian in Webster’s dictionary is: “a decent, civilized or presentable person.” Is that all that Jesus requires? One doesn’t have to be a Christian to achieve respectability. But respectability is not necessarily a Christian virtue.

Even though they probably have not previously met, I think Jesus knew (and I let you speculate on the “how”) that this young man, despite his enthusiastic keeping of the commandments, lacked the one thing essential to eternal life: “He had great possessions” (10:22). Or better still, his great possessions had him.

Actually, “eternal life” was just number two in his life. Self-congratulatory material wealth was number one. He came to Jesus seeking his own personal eternal life, nothing or no one beyond that.

Note that Jesus’ response, “… go, sell what you have and give it to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow me,” was a personal prescription meant only for the importunate man. Jesus was not saying that all of us have to sell everything and give it to the poor – just those materialists who, like the man, are owned by their possessions.

Each of us has a “one thing” which above all else stands as a barrier to eternal life. So, if you came to Jesus asking, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” what “one thing” do you think he would prescribe for you?

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Rev. Althouse may write to him in care of this publication.