Mark 10:17 -31
[Matthew 19:16 -30; Luke 10:25 -37, 18:18 -30]
The young rich man spent his life
perfecting his religious duties.
However, he understood the Greek concept of eternal life, not the
Hebrew. He thought he needed to earn the
reward for his soul. His devotion to
religion distorted his understanding of God and hardened his heart.
Eternal life was, and is, an
inheritance. We accept it or deny it,
but we cannot buy eternity. According to
Jesus, believers “enter life” as we start to live in God’s love, mercy, and
forgiveness (Matthew 19:17 ; Luke 10:28 ; John 5:24 ,
8:51 ). Our spirit dies when we do not follow His
ways (Ezekiel 18:31 ; Romans 8:6). Our daily choices determine the outcome at
death (Matthew 10:42 ; Mark 9:41 ). Small
responses outweigh cultural theology and are much more important than grandiose
gestures.
At the end of the discourse, Jesus
resumed His thoughts on the man who walked away. He said, “But many who are first will be
last, and many who are last will be first.” (NIV) Jesus used the word “many” not “all.” He did not contrast a saved or condemned
condition. Those who esteem themselves
on earth may barely make it into heaven.
But “barely” is accepted. We are
not the judge.
Wealth is not evil. Contempt for those with wealth is
covetous. Contempt for those without
wealth is conceit. Contempt impedes love. God judges the heart.
**Does my religion encourage me to
let God soften and mold my heart? Does
my religion neglect to teach me how to live a righteous life? Does it build confidence in the acceptance of
God? Do I trust God to secure my future?
[Lessons from Holiness Parables, by Jo Helen Cox, a work in progress.]
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 1 of 7
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 2 of 7 – Good Teacher
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 3 of 7 – Son of Man’s
Response
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 4 of 7 – Broken
Commandments
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 5 of 7 – A Task of
Poverty?
The Rich Man’s Question – Part 6 of 7 – The Task to
Follow
Also in this series: