Title: The Rich Young Ruler

Scripture Reading: Mark 10:17
“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?”

Main idea: The call to discipleship is a call to trust and commitment to Jesus.

The rich young man
Jesus was continuing His journey toward Jerusalem a young rich ruler came to him with a question: “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). He was rich (Matthew 19:22; Mark 10:22; Luke 18:23). He was young (Matthew 19:20). He was a ruler (Lu. 18:18). This question by the rich young ruler gains significance as the only wealthy person’s direct question to Jesus recorded in Mark’s Gospel. This religious young man was trying his best but knew it wasn’t enough. This young man lacked something and wanted Jesus to tell him what he had missed. Our Lord told him what he needed to hear, not what he wanted to hear. This rich young man wanted to have another possession in his collection—an inheritance called eternal life. He wanted to have the kingdom, sadly, as it turned out, he wasn’t ready for the kingdom to have him. This rich young man is a representation of wealthy people untouched by the gospel. This young man knew what he wanted. He came to the right Person. He came right to the point: He wanted eternal life.

The problem with the rich young man
The young man replied to the Lord “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth” (Mark 10:20). He wanted Jesus to guarantee his eternal life. Such is the condition of one who tries to attain eternal life or a relationship with God by his or her own merit. This young man was trusting in himself and his wealth; sadly, he was self-reliant and proud. Jesus sensed that this rich man wanted a big payoff. He wanted Jesus’ declaration that the young man’s own moral achievements were payment for an eternal life. Don’t come to Jesus proudly; your achievements or good work cannot earn your salvation.

Jesus’ command to this rich man
The young man said he had never once broken any of the laws Jesus mentioned in (Mark 10:19-20). Jesus 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” (Mark 10:21). Jesus’ words to this rich young man were a test of his faith and his willingness to obey. Selling all his possessions would not, of itself, give the man eternal life. But such sacrificial obedience would be the first step for this man to become a follower of Jesus. Having money beguiles one into believing that everything can be had for a price — even salvation. Jesus’ difficult demand was met with a “no.” He got the right answer to his question. “He went away sorrowful” Why? “Because he had many possessions.” His gold would remain his god.

Application
The French atheist Voltaire, was a very rich man. He was the most famous person of the European enlightenment in the sophisticated eighteenth century, and his writings, particularly his satirical attack on Christianity, Candide, were read everywhere. Yet when Voltaire came to die, it is reported that he cried to his doctor in pained desperation, “I will give you half of all I possess if you will give me six months more of life.” But, of course, it was beyond the doctor’s ability to do that, and all Voltaire’s great wealth could not slow death’s advance. He died despairing.

This rich young man’s conversation with Jesus, we see the essence of the gospel—repent and believe. Jesus told the rich young man to turn his back on his past (repent) and to begin following him (believe). Covetousness is like a virus that takes residence in the soul and begins slowly to work its destruction. Jesus challenges all of us to put away anything that is an obstacle to our following Him. You cannot love your wealth supremely and love Jesus supremely. Those who will save their lives are those who are willing to lose their lives for the sake of Jesus and the gospel (Mark 8:35).

Let’s pray together
Heavenly Father, all blessings are from You, help us Lord to return what it belongs to you. In Jesus Name Amen.