The 4 gospel books tell of the life of our Lord Jesus Christ. In essence, the life of our Lord Jesus Christ is the object lesson that teaches us about God. He is the Word who became Flesh. The Word is about Jesus and Jesus Himself is the Living Word. The Word that we read is more than just a study of literature. More than evidence that validates history. More than stories that illustrate teachings. It is attention to God’s voice which requires a response of man’s heart.
The story or the rich young man is found in 3 of the 4 gospels. We have learned that repeated words in scripture reinforce the emphasis of its meaning. Having recorded 3 times by 3 different writers, the story of the rich young man vocalizes God’s heart and practically screams for our attention even more so today because of the world we exist in. When God speaks, we must respond, (in spite of tension).
Mark 10:17-21 17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’”
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
Jesus had just finished being with the little children. He played, hugged, laughed, danced and sang. Notice He didn't start preaching to them. No lecture. No finger wagging. Instead, as the parents and crowds watched on, He himself became like a child, a friend and a playmate. There was an extraordinary connection. Their interaction was mutually warm. There’s a sense of familiarity and security that the little children had towards Jesus. They were having so much fun it was like Jesus having his own VBS. He didn't say to the parents, “Go take care of errands while I watch your kids.” That’s not what Jesus is for.
Parents shouldn't bring their kids to church because of reasons other than this. One essential reason we (must) bring our kids to church is simply because Jesus loves the little children. Don’t you want your children to be in a place close to God where they are loved? “Let (KJV – Suffer) the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”
• Suffer (send forth, let go, give up) the little children to come unto me
• Do not hinder (forbid, prevent). 2 common E’s that hinder – Example & Excuses
He held them in his arms, put his hands on them and bless (eulogeo – to praise and ask God’s blessing) them. So do not let wrong intentions impede the purpose of Sunday.
A young man ran, kicks up dust, pushed his way through crowd and fell before Jesus. Catching his breath and said, “Sir, you don’t know me but I have something very important I need answered.” Continuing, “Good teacher, I know you’re a busy man. I could have gotten here faster but people were blocking the roads. I had to park my …” “Chariot?” said Jesus. “Yes … how did you know?” “Anyway, I won’t take too much of your time. Good teacher, what must I do to (be absolutely complete) get eternal life?”
Everyone in the crowd agrees it was a great question! Everyone wants to know but no one dares to ask! Pharisees who had challenged Jesus earlier are eager to hear Jesus’ reply. People who didn't care about heaven and hell at one point wondered what happens when they die. Disciples with Jesus intently waited for the answer.
Story of a married couple, both 60 years old, celebrating their 35th anniversary. During their party a genie appeared to congratulate them and grant them each one a wish. Wife wanted to travel around the world. Genie waved wand and “poof” – wife has tickets in her hand for a world cruise. Next, genie asked husband what he wanted. He said, “I wish I have a wife 30 years younger than me.” So genie picked wand and “poof” – the husband is 90. Great question but the problem is they know what they want but they didn't know what they are asking!
We follow the One who is Good
“Why do you call me good?” Why do we call Jesus and this whole church thing good? To men, something is good if it’s agreeable, favorable and satisfying. First class is good. A on tests is good. Cold air on a hot day is good. Good is invariably a positive return that meets our approval. The goodness of God is His holiness, perfection and sovereignty. Good in God is Absolute Excellence. Good by men’s standards is simply his emotions and experience that drives his ambitions. That’s finite. Do we know who Jesus is? The young man sees Jesus merely as an agent rather than the Answer. That’s because he was only interested (though sincere), about his own welfare. He was looking and searching to bridge his fortune while living, to have eternal security after dying. Let that not be our mistake. Only God is truly good and because He is, He wants the best for us.
We follow the One who is Just
Eternal life is not something anyone can do to get. Our training tells us that cause and effect is how our world operates. You must do this and you’ll get that. No amount of good things that we do equate to the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through the shedding of His blood from the breaking of His body can we as sinners be reconciled with God. Salvation is not acquired by any means or effort. It must begin with obedience to the One who is ultimately the Sacrifice.
Jesus quotes the 2nd table of the law. They pertain to our relationship with other people. The 1st table pertains to our relationship with God. But the 2nd half of the commandments gives guidelines to how communities are to be shaped. So why commandments on how to treat others? The young man was a ruler, an authority, a council to people.
“Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.”
Like a wet towel twisted in a tight knot to squeeze the water out, Jesus’ heart cringed at the presumptuousness of his response.
Parents, together we must not only teach our children to be good. We must not only expect them to do good. We must train them up to be great! Great is by complete faith in God. Good is by confidence in yourself. Jesus looked at him and loved him.
We follow the One who is Love
Story of the Rich Young Man appears in 3 of the 4 gospel books. But only in Mark was it noted that Jesus looked at him and loved him.
I wish to be more Christ-like in my relationship with His church. How He can just love people with such pure convictions, such deep compassion and such authentic affection. I wish to be Christ-like in the way He takes such genuine interest in people and feel so much love for them. Mark couldn’t have been the better person to write such profound caption about Jesus. See, Mark was not one of the 12 disciples. In fact, he was up and down with his faith. But to be so moved upon seeing the true character of Jesus, it was important to Mark. He thought it important that others might read it.
Jesus wants us to look at others and love them as well. That’s why I applaud those who gave themselves in big or small ways to hold the little hands, to love them and care for them at camp.
We follow the One who is Truth
Jesus knows the ways the young man has taken and where he’s headed. He tells him to first Go, Sell and Give.
• Go – Look back at one’s traveled past. A chance to repent.
• Sell – Permanently letting go of things that control you.
• Give – We each are given an equal portion according to His wisdom. Hoard it or share it. After all, all belong to God. Use it to honor Him.
Many people see this as a problem. We see ourselves as fish in water and water is being taken away from us. That’s if we see it in the flesh. Spiritually, we see the fish being set free from the bowl into the ocean of endless opportunities. In flesh – wilderness, in spirit – promised land of milk and honey. In flesh Abraham – old, in spirit – sky and stars and countless offspring.
Romans 12:2 – Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind then you will be able to know the will of God – what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.
Jesus didn’t just say to “give everything away”. Instead, He gave the young man detailed steps to go his way, sell all of his possessions, and don’t just give it to anybody but to the poor. It tells me that even though our material possessions mean nothing to God, He is not a wasteful God. Neither does He want us to waste our life away by living recklessly.
Finally, “Come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” Jesus wants us to step out of the boundaries of imprisonment and walk into eternal territories. Not sometime in the future but here and now.
We follow the One who is the Son
It’s commonly said that that’s the cost of discipleship. I think it’s more of a reward than cost. Following Jesus only means God is going to be with you everywhere you go. But we must accept His invitation, take up the cross (deny ourselves, lay aside our strength, pride, ego) and follow Him.
Our ministry must be one that amplifies that invitation. To be effective we must reveal the One who is good. Instead of examples and excuses that obstruct commitment, together we must exemplify Christ in training up each other to develop complete faith in God.
