Pentecost 21 - Proper 23

Pentecost 21 – Proper 23

October 14, 2018

Mark 10:17-22

Christ Jesus is the one and only God by whom we inherit eternal life.

The quest – for life

This past week a question was asked by a friend on facebook. "Could you live your life based on faith in the generosity of others, or would you consider that too shameful an existence?" 

This man. Could not wait to taste real life. He ran up to Jesus. Kneeling. He begged Jesus to give him life. He wanted “eternal life”. He had life in the sense of its existence, but he wanted something more. – He desired excellence not existence.

Today, people are more interested in a quality of life. They seek a standard of health, comfort, and happiness. Which is to be experienced. It observes life satisfaction, including everything from physical health, family, education, employment, wealth, safety, security, to freedom, religious beliefs, and the environment.

The World Happiness Report is a landmark survey on the state of global happiness. It ranks 156 countries by their happiness levels. Reflecting growing global interest in using happiness and substantial well-being as an indicator of the quality of human development. The World Happiness Report indicates that some regions have in recent years have been experiencing “a progressive inequality” of happiness. The report concludes, “Without life, there is no happiness to be realized.”[1]  

The tragedy of this story is that the young man turned down the opportunity to experience the life Jesus offers. – The price was simply too high.

Jesus teaches His disciples that not even people with the greatest worldly means can enter the kingdom of God on their own merit. We cannot justify ourselves, we receive salvation (inherit eternal life) solely by grace through faith in Jesus. Just like a little child (Vv. 13-16)

We need to understand, that “no one is good except God alone.” The life that you are called to live is found neither in your “great possessions,” nor in your good works. Both are a lie. Let go of “all that you have.”  Follow Him, even unto death, and “you will have treasure in heaven.”

Enlighten our minds, we pray, O God, by the Spirit who proceeds from You that, as Your Son has promised, we may be led into all truth.

How do you then get real life?

1. Some claim real life comes by earning it? The young man was off in his thinking from the very start, when he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  Inheriting eternal life is not a matter of our doing. It is received as gift.  It is the gift of grace.

This rich young man.  Comes to Jesus respectfully but not reverently.  He takes a knee in front of his life coach.  "Kneeling" in this case, is not worship. He has nothing to give in reverent repentance. He approaches Jesus as an equal.  Thinking they are both "good."

Jesus tried to show this man that he could not earn his salvation, by directing him to the commandments. Yet, the young man persisted in his self-righteousness by proclaiming that he had kept them all from his youth.  “I've guarded them.” ἐφυλαξάμην he argues. He confused moral goodness - a reward for obeying the commands - with righteousness…which is all Christ’s doing.

This man sensed that keeping the commandments wasn’t enough for a spiritually satisfying life. He was right. Jesus told him to literally. Sell everything. And follow Him.

That made the young man sad. Just as any financial loss might sadden and angered us.  You know how the game is played. You simply follow the rules. This man was an expert at following the rules. He felt that he could receive real life by obeying the laws of God. He was only fooling himself. For there is only one person who has lived the perfect life. That was the man to whom this young man was speaking. The man Jesus Christ. He is the only person to follow the law of God perfectly.

In painful loss we look for deliverance. We look for something more than a spiritualized religious lesson for our souls. We need a flesh and blood deliverer. His name is Jesus Christ.

2. So, you can’t find real life by earning it. In that case, then do the next best thing. Buy it? The young man had the wealth to buy it. – If it could be bought. This man was a rich man with many resources.   If he had wanted it. He got it. And as we know. In this world. Those who “have it” have it good!

Or, so they think. For some the mark of success is never having to ask how much does it cost. And yet, there are some things which go beyond being able to pay for it.

The man walked away sorrowful. Because of his wealth. Which he may have gotten illegally. Illegitimately. Dishonestly. Still, Jesus looked on him with love and compassion. (ἐμβλέψας αὐτῷ ἠγάπησεν αὐτὸν)

As a wayward sheep. Jesus looks at the man “as a little one.” He directs the man to the First Commandment. By asking him to give up all he had. This young man loved the things of the world. More than the things of God. And so he went away sorrowful. Because, as Jesus would point out to him, in the secrecy of his life, he had only gained his wealth by defraud and deceit.

This man. Do not be fooled by him. He did not acquire his wealth because of his brain or brawn.  He was a con man. Placing his own family at risk. He had taken advantage of his own family. He was a cheat. Fleecing his own parents.

Notice how Jesus recites the commandments. “Do not murder.” (Commandment #5) “Do not commit adultery.” (Commandment #6) “Do not steal.” (Commandment #7) “Do not bear false witness.” (Commandment #8) Then Jesus continues. “Do not defraud…Honor your father and mother.” Jesus repeats commandment #7 And addresses commandment #4.

The only reason this man had acquired his wealth was because he had swindled his parents. And worse. He presents himself as pious, above board. He paints a picture of himself as a compliant and subservient child. Submissive. Respectful. A model citizen. All the while he was acquiring his wealth at the expense of his parents. He had everything. They gained nothing. He lived in luxury. They were in poverty.[2]

Confidently, he simply ignored his sin. Because he was convinced that God was blessing him. Because of his wealth. Yet, despite his actions, and his demeanor. Jesus looked on him with love and compassion.

Consider your worse sin. Known only in the secrecy of you own heart. What would happen? If it were known to men? Jesus knows it! Just as He knew all about this spoiled, rich son. Who despised his parents and took advantage of them. Yet Jesus offers mercy and grace. To you. Despite your guilt and shame. This man walked away sorrowful. Do not do the same!       

3. Could this life be taught? This man called Jesus a “good teacher.” Hoping Jesus would teach him how to get eternal life.  He approaches Jesus as an equal.  Thinking they are both "good." The children are welcomed he reasoned. So, why not me? They are, after all, children…but he reasoned, “I contribute. I have value. I make a difference.” He valued his effort.

Jesus refused to be his guru. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answers. “No one is good but God alone.” (v.19) If this young man calls Jesus “good.” And only God is good. Then did the young man accept the notion that Jesus was God?  “Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God...”Jesus points to the one thing the man lacks...To be in the presence of God. Is to be in the need of confession and faith. You're not good. But God is. All morality centers around Christ. YET HERE – There is no evidence of contrition.

How can any person enter the Kingdom of God? Not on his own merits. With man it is impossible. But all things are possible with God.

Only God is good. Human are not. The way to God is not to discover from another his secret for a good life. In order to earn God’s favor. Rather it is to come in faith to Christ. Who alone can bestow eternal life.

4. Real life comes by receiving it as a gift. Eternal life is “inherited” as a gift from the One to whom we are fully committed. Jesus did not want anything standing in the way of this bond. This union with Christ. Instead of following Jesus. This man chooses to stay with his wealth. He walked away sad and bitter. NOT because he was a wealthy man. But because it was his riches. Which he had given first priority in his life.

What is your destiny? What is God’s desire of you? His desire is to give you life, liberty and peace. Freedom. Security. Happiness. And joy. He gives you all these things freely. –It was all bought and paid for by His own Son’s blood.

Sadly. By the world’s standards. We are valued by our salary. Our position. Our home. Our education. Our status in the community. Jesus came neither to impress you. Nor to be impressed by you. He came to save you. He took your sins as His. Suffered and died in your place. He received the punishment you deserve. So you won't ever have to bear your sin alone.

Jesus looking into him. Loved him. ἠγάπησεν “One thing you lack all you have sell it, and give to the poor, and you will have treasures in heaven.  Then come, follow me.” We have nothing without Jesus Christ. To know Him is to know all. To have Him is to have all.  They who know Jesus confess their sins. Despair of their own works. And trust in Him and His righteousness for salvation. Believing the Word which says, “God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son, has life.” (1 John 5:11-12).

All Jesus asks of you is your life. He asks that you simply trust Him. And no one else. By following Jesus you gain everything. It’s as simple as that.  With this one thing. A connection. A union with Christ. You have everything. Having everything. But that one thing. Leads to nothing.

Jesus makes all the difference in the world. For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world but to forfeit his own soul? – Mark 8:36 Today trust Jesus. Follow Him! Obey Him! He is the one thing which makes everything else is secondary.

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Words-1,790

Passive Sentences-3%

Readability-81.5%

Reading Level- 3.6

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[1] "Health and Happiness". The Lancet. 387: 1251. 26 March 2016.

[2] See Mark 7:10-12 The religious leaders of Jesus’ day were guilty of setting aside God’s Word in favor of their own man-made traditions. They claimed great devotion to the Lord in all of their “outward” rituals, but they were “inwardly” corrupt.

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