We read in Mark 10:27, “Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (ESV)
Mankind has advanced in leaps and bounds in science, technology, industrialization and medicine. However, all of these progressions have still left us with no satisfactory answer to many of our questions. Think of this pandemic for example, wherein all of mankind was in confusion trying to find a solution, and it was evident that only God knew the intricacies of such a complex situation. Have you heard of someone undergoing treatment for a serious disease, and you might sometimes hear the doctors say that they have done all they could, and that the rest depended on God alone. Even in this 21st century there are umpteen things that we are helpless about, but remember that everything is possible with God Almighty.
The man who had a crucial question
Let us study the background to this verse. We read in Mark 10:17, “And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”” (ESV)
As Jesus was going on his usual journeys, a man came to Him with a very valid question. This man apparently was an extremely wealthy man. Somehow, this man seemed to realize that Jesus knew about things that were hidden to him. The man came running, and so it seems that he was in real haste to get an appropriate answer to his question. We also note that the man knelt down before Jesus, which implied that he was humble, and wanted to learn from the Lord. This question that the man posed to Jesus is probably one of the most important, and pressing questions in the hearts of many. He wanted to know as to what are those things that he would need to fulfill, so that he could attain eternal life.
Most people think of eternal life as that which one will experience after death, a life that has no end. Many songs that have been written and which we sing often indicate to us that eternal life in heaven is far off, and will be experienced only after one dies.
What is eternal life?
Just check out what Jesus taught about eternal life in John 17:3, “And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.” (ESV)
This is not a head knowledge about God and Jesus Christ, but a knowledge that is based on an intimate relationship with the Lord.
You may have heard some who will boast about all the influential people whom they know. One man was bragging this way to another man, who stopped and asked him, ‘You say that you know these people, but do they know you?’ To know God, in a personal way is the eternal life that Jesus is talking about.
Knowing God and Known by God
When the Apostle Paul spoke about knowing God, this is how he explained it in Galatian 4:9, “But now that we truly know him and understand how deeply we’re loved by him, why would we, even for a moment, consider turning back to those weak and feeble principles of religion, as though we were still subject to them?”(TPT)
Paul talks about the blessing of knowing God, and also of being known, and loved by God. Therefore, to those who have such a relationship with God as our Father, the question Paul raises is, ‘how can we turn back to the meaningless principles of this world and become enslaved to them? The above mentioned version beautifully explains it to us that we have not only known God, but we have also understood the astounding love that God has for us.
Eternal life is therefore that personal, and intimate relationship that we have with God. Hence, eternal life is not one that is far off, but something that can be experienced right here and now. This relationship can be experienced in its fullest right here on earth.
What should I do to inherit eternal life?
The man who approached Jesus wanted to know all that he was supposed to do in order to inherit eternal life. Inheriting is very much different from getting something. For instance if someone wanted to acquire the wealth of an extremely rich man, there is in reality nothing that he or she can do in order to receive it. On the other hand, if the rich man decided to adopt that person to be his son or daughter, then they would become heirs to his inheritance without having to do anything. So also, if we want to inherit eternal life, the only way we can do so is when we become sons and daughters of the living God. To become children of God one must believe that Jesus came down to this earth, took all of our sins on Himself on the cross, has saved us, set us free from sin, and accept Him into their lives. The bible teaches us that everyone who had done so have been given the rights to become sons and daughters of God.
The answer Jesus gave
This was the answer the Jesus gave the man as found in Mark 10:19,“You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” (ESV)
When Jesus spoke to this man, He reminded him of the Ten Commandments. If we study the Ten Commandments the first four speak about our relationship with God, and the other six speak about the relationship that we have with each other.
If we study Exodus 20, verses 3, 4, 7 and 8 this is what we find.
In Exodus 20:3-4, we read, “You shall have no other gods before me. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.”(ESV)
We read in Exodus 20:7, “You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain,” (ESV) and in Exodus 20:8, “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.”(ESV)
The Lord did not mention to the man about these first four commandments, but only highlighted the ones that pertained to his relationship with others.
We read in Mark 10:20, “And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” (ESV)
This man was certain that he had meticulously followed all the commandments of God that were in relation to others without a fault.
There are many who feel exactly like this young man, and feel justified that they have wronged no one knowingly. It is however possible that they may have done wrong without realizing it.
Jesus pointed out what was lacking
We read in Mark 10:21,“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.”” (NKJV)
Jesus was filled with love for this man, and told him that he lacked only one thing. He was lacking in his relationship with God. The Lord Jesus instructed him to sell all that he had, to give them away to the poor, to take up the cross and follow him. It was Jesus’ way of telling him that all that possessed was treasures on earth, and had absolutely no investments in heaven.
If we are perfect in all our human relationships, and are lacking in our relationship with God, everything else will be futile. Remember that breaking one commandment of God is equal to breaking all of it.
The man’s response
When this young man heard these words from Jesus this way his response as recorded in Mark 10:22, “Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”(ESV)
This man was saddened by these words of Jesus, and left unwilling to give up, for the man had great possessions. It was obvious that this man had far greater love for his earthly possessions than he had love for God. His heart was so set on earthly riches that it was far from God, and things that pertained to eternity.
Two men who willingly gave up what was theirs
Let me set before you two examples from the bible. In the Old Testament we read about Abraham, who was extremely wealthy with gold, silver and livestock. At hundred years of age God blessed Abraham with a son. When this son Isaac was a young man, the Lord commanded Abraham to take his only son, whom he loved dearly, and to sacrifice him at a mount that the Lord would show him. Without the slightest of hesitation, Abraham went ahead to do as the Lord commanded. Isaac was all that Abraham had, he was his hope for the future generations to come and a blessing from God Himself. However, Abraham was firm to not hold on to the blessings, and forget the giver of those blessings. Nothing could separate Abraham from his love for God.
In the New Testament we read about Paul, who had wealth, status, education and everything else. Nonetheless, when Paul had an encounter with Jesus he considered it all of it rubbish when compared to knowing Christ, and following after Him.
There are many people who are so entangled with things of this world, things like money, friendships, entertainment and so many other worldly pleasures that their hearts are far away from God. Think about what are those things that are hindering you from loving God the way you should. In order to discover if there are such things in your life, a good test is to check to see how much time you spend with God every day. Compare this with the time you spend on your work, with family, mobile phone or any other entertainment. This will surely help you realize where you stand.
Often times what we say, and what we believe are at variance. The way the young man approached Jesus would prompt us to think that he was sincere to do as Jesus bid him to. God does not judge by external appearance for He looks at the heart. Jesus saw the heart of the man, love him, and instructed him to sell all he had, give it to the poor, and to take up the cross and follow him. This young man was so disheartened with this admonition, that he walked away with heaviness of heart and sadness, as he was not ready to comply with what was asked of him.
The valuable lesson Jesus taught
Now Jesus was left with His disciples and this is what He taught them.
We read in Mark 10:25-27, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (ESV)
When Jesus talks about a rich person, it refers to anyone whose heart is set on his wealth and material possessions, and loves them more than he loves God. Such a person Jesus said would find it really hard to enter the Kingdom of God, and compared it to a camel entering through the eye of a needle.
The disciples were so astounded by this teaching and asked Jesus, “Then who can be saved?” It was to this that Jesus replied that what was impossible with men, would be possible only with God.
As human beings it is not possible for us to change our ways and our desires, for things of this world. Nonetheless, if we put our faith in the Lord Jesus, and ask Him to help us He will give us strength to do this. We must examine our lives, set aside all our negative thoughts, fears about the future, our feelings of helplessness, our trust in mortal men, and look only to the Lord. The Lord Jesus is able to do everything, and if we ask for things for the glory of God, be sure that the Lord will give them to us.
May God help us to be firmly established in our relationship as children of our Heavenly Father. A good child is one who gladdens the heart of his father, so also let us be those children who will bring joy to the heart of our Father in heaven. Let me conclude this sermon this way, when we place our faith in the Lord Jesus, and become His children, the Lord is ready to help us do all those things that we consider impossible, for everything is possible with God.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
