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
[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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