Mark 10:17-22
And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
This story we know as “The Rich Young Ruler” is told in three of the four Gospels; so it definitely is something we must pay attention to. However, most often we reduce the story’s significance to a warning about the lore of money, wealth and fame. However, I challenge us this morning to consider its wider implications. The lesson Christ was teaching is more about decision making than simply the love of money. Money and comfortable lifestyles are certainly serious distractions to sacrificial living, but they are not the only factors. Let’s look more deeply into this conversation.
The young man ran to Jesus because he recognized his spiritual authority and giftedness. I particularly like how Jesus chided him for referring to him as ‘good’. It’s not that Jesus isn’t good, but the young man was responding to social recognition, not spiritual revelation. His strict adherence to the tenants of the law gave him insight enough to recognize Jesus as a good rabbi, teacher or prophet of God. And knowing he was in the presence of clergy, the young man knew enough to address Jesus with a formal greeting worthy of his status. But Jesus challenged the young man’s entire religious concept by revealing there is only one worthy of being considered good. That statement was masterful. Is masterful. Jesus is still inquiring the same of us today. Why do we call him good? Is it our religious reflex muscles? Our cultural politeness and decorum? Or do we truly understand who Jesus is? Do you really know HIM? Do you worship Him for who He truly is?
Jesus goes on to commend the young ruler on what a great job he had done keeping the commandments and staying true to Jewish law. Keeping traditions, religious culture, civility, decorum and stability is important. Without some gauge or barometer for civil society lawlessness would easily prevail. So kudos to the young ruler for keeping the status quo. But he wasn’t satisfied with the status quo. He was searching for more. He was looking for something beyond temple worship. His soul was seeking answers to questions in his spirit. Questions we all ask. How do I secure eternal life? Is what I’m doing enough to satisfy the requirements of Kingdom citizenship? Am I making heavenly deposits in my account?
The bible says, Jesus saw something in the young man that he loved. He was so taken with his veal and sincerity, that Jesus was ready to make room for him in his small band of close followers. But there was one flaw that this fellow had. And it wasn’t that he had too much money. It was the fact he wasn’t willing to part with it for the cause of Christ. That was the main issue. And it remains an issue for many of us today.
In this world, the acquisition of wealth, popularity, money or fame come at a price. Those that have been able to amass riches have done so by following very specific sets of rules. There is a commonality in the world regarding prosperity. Don’t get me wrong, there’s absolutely nothing wrong or sinful with doing well. But the challenge of wealth, health, prosperity, pleasant lifestyles and the like is will you serve God when all that stuff is gone? If you can…great! But if you find any of those things to be a stumbling block, you are lacking, and not ready to follow Christ. Any impediment that causes you pause when Jesus is offering you opportunity for fellowship is not worth it.
I’ll close with the lyrics of the song that goes:
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather be His than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or land
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand
Than to be the king of a vast domain
And be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today
