Friday, December 08, 2006
Forsaken All!
During the time of Jesus' earthly ministry, it was common for rabbis to have various teachings on eternal life. By asking a particular teacher what he believed, you could figure out a lot about that person and his followers. Thus, it is not odd that a rich, young man came and asked Jesus, "Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?"
While this question makes perfectly good sense given the culture, Jesus' response shocked the audience. As a rabbi, Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, and His teachings tended to challenge many of the preconceived notions of the day.
Unlike many who questioned Jesus, this young man appeared to be legitimately searching for answers not trying to trap Jesus in His own words. The man was wealthy and a ruler or influential person in the area. By his own words, the man proclaimed himself to be devoted especially when it came to following the law.
As Jesus tended to do, He responded with a simple question. He asked, "Why do you call me good?" This question was not meant as a dodge or even a rebuke. Instead, it was intended to help the listener discover that there was only one who could be called good by his own efforts and that is God. The question and preceding explanation pointed to the one thing that this young man lacked - awareness of his own sin and depravity before God. It also hinted that Jesus was more than just a normal teacher or good rabbi.
Jesus answered the man's question by pointing to following the commandments as the path to life. Then the man wanted to know which commandments were important. Jesus mentioned a number of commandments dealing with human relationships and actions. And the young man responded that he had followed all of those rules since his birth.
Doubtless the young man was perfectly sincere even though he was deceived. Something within whispered to him that his keeping of the commandments was too easy a way of getting to heaven. There had to be something more.
While the young man may have literally followed the commandments, he did not keep the letter of them. This reality was proven by his reaction to what Jesus said. When Jesus told the man to sell his great riches and give everything to the poor, he went away said. He could not part with his stuff, which proved that he had violated the first commandment by putting earthly possessions before God.
Mark's account tells us that Jesus looked lovingly on this young man. Jesus admired his sincere desire to find the path to life. And he was likely saddened to see the young man walk away when it mattered most. Jesus loved this man by telling him the truth even when it was hard to hear. His willingness to say the hard things that had to be spoken is a great example of a key discipleship lesson. We never truly love someone if we are not willing to have hard conversation with them when the circumstances require it.
The one thing the young man lacked was the one thing he was not willing to give up. Harboring anything before God will cause us to fall away from His salvation. Jesus was not saying that mere possession of things is wrong. Instead, Jesus looked intently into the soul of this man and identified the one thing keeping him back. Christ prescribed the treatment needed for this man's way-ward heart.
The general rule all Christians should take from this story is that we can own things, but things should never own us. We are to own all things loosely as a steward, willing to lay aside whatever God calls us to give up. The man who does this with all he has, whether rich or poor, is a true heir of the kingdom of heaven.
The young man may remind us of many people today who strive to do what is right, are skilled and affluent, yet they refuse to give up the one thing they truly worship most. For many in the Western world, this is our stuff or the pride of our own goodness. The world is full of many "good" men who are free from gross sin. However, they fall far short of God's glory; they perish because of wickedness in their heart even though must people would consider them a good person.
Jesus moved the focus from simply being good to becoming perfect. He said, "If you want to be perfect, you must..." This progression gets at the heart of the matter. It is not simply good enough to be good. Another time in His earthly ministry, Jesus called His followers to be "perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Christ appears to be echoing this teaching here.
As the rich man walked away, Jesus said something even harder. He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
During those days, having wealth was sign of God's favor and blessing. If the rich could not enter God's kingdom, it would surely seem out of reach for poor fishermen like the disciples. They were astonished. Jesus detected their fright. He assured them that God can make a way for all who truly believe. Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Shaken by Jesus' exchange with the rich man, Simon spoke what the others were likely thinking. He said, "We have forsaken all and followed you. What shall we have?" Not only was Simon reminding Jesus of their devotion. He wanted to make sure that there had been no misunderstanding. The disciples thought there would be a reward and blessing for what they had given up to follow Jesus. Simon wanted to ensure their sacrifice was worth the cost.
While the disciples loved and honored Jesus, it would be impossible to think that they followed Jesus without at least some mixed motives. In the end, these men would abandon an earthly dream for something far greater. But at this point, they did not really comprehend the spiritual reality behind much of what Jesus taught. This awareness came in time as they were more fully enlightened by the Holy Spirit and personal revelation through a life of ministry and worship.
Understanding where these men were and desiring to take them further, Jesus dealt with Simon's concern. Jesus could have turned the discussion around and asked, "Do you know what I left to come down here and deal with you guys? Do you realize how much I will suffer for you? You will never give up enough to pay for what I am about to go through." This is how many people might have responded if they were in Jesus' position. But Christ met them at the point of their fears and encouraged them to have faith.
Jesus said that those who follow in His restoration work will share in His glory. They will have a place of leadership and judgement. More than just a simple statement of faith, Jesus called His people to follow in His way of life. His disciples were supposed to be like Him and work to restore things to the way God had intended it from the beginning. Old injustices, prejudices, grudges, factions, etc. are supposed to go away as a new kingdom comes.
It can be hard to sacrifice today for some future blessing in the after life. Jesus understood this limited sense of priorities. He introduced them to a reality and a blessing that would take place in the present life.
For the person who sacrifices in this life, Jesus said, "He shall receive an hundredfold now in this time houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions" (Mark 10:30).
Christ promised a whole new reality as people were bound together by His love and power. His followers would receive blessings as God provided for needs. This happened through divine providence and the generosity of other believers. Through the call of Christ, new relationships were created as early converts developed a sense of camaraderie and loyalty. Those blessings would be accompanied by persecution, especially as Rome targeted the early Church.
Clearly identifying the upside message of God's new kingdom, Jesus taught, "Many that are first shall be last; and the last first." This must have been Good News to the ears of the poor Jews that followed Jesus. Not only were they tired of Roman rule, they were also oppressed by the religious elite who were supposed to look out for their best interest. These words would not have set well with the Romans or the religious leaders of the day. Jesus didn't really seem to care what they thought. He continued to preach His message of a new kingdom even though many parts of it seemed to difficult for even His closest followers to accept.
While this question makes perfectly good sense given the culture, Jesus' response shocked the audience. As a rabbi, Jesus taught about the kingdom of God, and His teachings tended to challenge many of the preconceived notions of the day.
Unlike many who questioned Jesus, this young man appeared to be legitimately searching for answers not trying to trap Jesus in His own words. The man was wealthy and a ruler or influential person in the area. By his own words, the man proclaimed himself to be devoted especially when it came to following the law.
As Jesus tended to do, He responded with a simple question. He asked, "Why do you call me good?" This question was not meant as a dodge or even a rebuke. Instead, it was intended to help the listener discover that there was only one who could be called good by his own efforts and that is God. The question and preceding explanation pointed to the one thing that this young man lacked - awareness of his own sin and depravity before God. It also hinted that Jesus was more than just a normal teacher or good rabbi.
Jesus answered the man's question by pointing to following the commandments as the path to life. Then the man wanted to know which commandments were important. Jesus mentioned a number of commandments dealing with human relationships and actions. And the young man responded that he had followed all of those rules since his birth.
Doubtless the young man was perfectly sincere even though he was deceived. Something within whispered to him that his keeping of the commandments was too easy a way of getting to heaven. There had to be something more.
While the young man may have literally followed the commandments, he did not keep the letter of them. This reality was proven by his reaction to what Jesus said. When Jesus told the man to sell his great riches and give everything to the poor, he went away said. He could not part with his stuff, which proved that he had violated the first commandment by putting earthly possessions before God.
Mark's account tells us that Jesus looked lovingly on this young man. Jesus admired his sincere desire to find the path to life. And he was likely saddened to see the young man walk away when it mattered most. Jesus loved this man by telling him the truth even when it was hard to hear. His willingness to say the hard things that had to be spoken is a great example of a key discipleship lesson. We never truly love someone if we are not willing to have hard conversation with them when the circumstances require it.
The one thing the young man lacked was the one thing he was not willing to give up. Harboring anything before God will cause us to fall away from His salvation. Jesus was not saying that mere possession of things is wrong. Instead, Jesus looked intently into the soul of this man and identified the one thing keeping him back. Christ prescribed the treatment needed for this man's way-ward heart.
The general rule all Christians should take from this story is that we can own things, but things should never own us. We are to own all things loosely as a steward, willing to lay aside whatever God calls us to give up. The man who does this with all he has, whether rich or poor, is a true heir of the kingdom of heaven.
The young man may remind us of many people today who strive to do what is right, are skilled and affluent, yet they refuse to give up the one thing they truly worship most. For many in the Western world, this is our stuff or the pride of our own goodness. The world is full of many "good" men who are free from gross sin. However, they fall far short of God's glory; they perish because of wickedness in their heart even though must people would consider them a good person.
Jesus moved the focus from simply being good to becoming perfect. He said, "If you want to be perfect, you must..." This progression gets at the heart of the matter. It is not simply good enough to be good. Another time in His earthly ministry, Jesus called His followers to be "perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect." Christ appears to be echoing this teaching here.
As the rich man walked away, Jesus said something even harder. He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God."
During those days, having wealth was sign of God's favor and blessing. If the rich could not enter God's kingdom, it would surely seem out of reach for poor fishermen like the disciples. They were astonished. Jesus detected their fright. He assured them that God can make a way for all who truly believe. Jesus said, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
Shaken by Jesus' exchange with the rich man, Simon spoke what the others were likely thinking. He said, "We have forsaken all and followed you. What shall we have?" Not only was Simon reminding Jesus of their devotion. He wanted to make sure that there had been no misunderstanding. The disciples thought there would be a reward and blessing for what they had given up to follow Jesus. Simon wanted to ensure their sacrifice was worth the cost.
While the disciples loved and honored Jesus, it would be impossible to think that they followed Jesus without at least some mixed motives. In the end, these men would abandon an earthly dream for something far greater. But at this point, they did not really comprehend the spiritual reality behind much of what Jesus taught. This awareness came in time as they were more fully enlightened by the Holy Spirit and personal revelation through a life of ministry and worship.
Understanding where these men were and desiring to take them further, Jesus dealt with Simon's concern. Jesus could have turned the discussion around and asked, "Do you know what I left to come down here and deal with you guys? Do you realize how much I will suffer for you? You will never give up enough to pay for what I am about to go through." This is how many people might have responded if they were in Jesus' position. But Christ met them at the point of their fears and encouraged them to have faith.
Jesus said that those who follow in His restoration work will share in His glory. They will have a place of leadership and judgement. More than just a simple statement of faith, Jesus called His people to follow in His way of life. His disciples were supposed to be like Him and work to restore things to the way God had intended it from the beginning. Old injustices, prejudices, grudges, factions, etc. are supposed to go away as a new kingdom comes.
It can be hard to sacrifice today for some future blessing in the after life. Jesus understood this limited sense of priorities. He introduced them to a reality and a blessing that would take place in the present life.
For the person who sacrifices in this life, Jesus said, "He shall receive an hundredfold now in this time houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions" (Mark 10:30).
Christ promised a whole new reality as people were bound together by His love and power. His followers would receive blessings as God provided for needs. This happened through divine providence and the generosity of other believers. Through the call of Christ, new relationships were created as early converts developed a sense of camaraderie and loyalty. Those blessings would be accompanied by persecution, especially as Rome targeted the early Church.
Clearly identifying the upside message of God's new kingdom, Jesus taught, "Many that are first shall be last; and the last first." This must have been Good News to the ears of the poor Jews that followed Jesus. Not only were they tired of Roman rule, they were also oppressed by the religious elite who were supposed to look out for their best interest. These words would not have set well with the Romans or the religious leaders of the day. Jesus didn't really seem to care what they thought. He continued to preach His message of a new kingdom even though many parts of it seemed to difficult for even His closest followers to accept.
