Jesus & Possessions
10:17-31
The Encounter: Jesus and the Rich Man
10:17-22
This is often called the story of the rich young ruler. Mark does not say he is young or a ruler. Luke called him a ruler (18:18) and Matthew called him young (19:22) Mark focuses on the most important thing: he is rich.
Having taught about marriage and children, Jesus taught about our relationship to our possessions. Discipleship includes the way we use and value our money and possessions.
The occasion for this lesson was the approach of a rich man. He is a striking contrast to the little children who came to Jesus.
The man’s approach was dramatic. He came running and knelt down before Jesus. It was a humble approach and well as dramatic. Obviously, the young man had something on his mind and sought Jesus’s council. The man’s concern was eternal life and how to inherit it. (17)
He addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher”. He did not address him as Lord or Son of David, so he does not appear to believe that Jesus is the
Christ or the Son of God.
Jesus’ response was to address the word “good”. Why do you call me good since only God is good. (18) This confronted the man on two fronts. First, Jesus should be recognized as God, the Son of God, not just a good teacher. Second, the man should not claim to be good. Neither of these truths were recognized by the man.
The standard of good for a Jew was the covenant law, summarized in the Ten Commandments. So, Jesus refers him to the commandments. But, all the commandments he mentions are from the second table, those that dealt with one’s relationship to other people: do not murder, commit adultery, steal, bear false witness, defraud, and honor your father and mother. (Exodus 20:12-17) He did not mention any of the commandments of the first table, those dealing with one’s relationship to God.
The man claimed to have kept all of those commandments “from his youth”. Given the interpretations of the law at that time, he may well have been able to convince himself that he was sinless. By the standards of the day, he was probably thought of as a good man.
Jesus must have been impressed with the man’s sincerity. Mark said he loved him. (21) But, Jesus then directed the man to the first table of the commandments, indeed the first commandment: “you shall have no other gods before (or “besides”) me”. (Exodus 20:3)
Jesus told the man, to inherit eternal life, he must sell all of his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. That would give him treasure in heaven. Then he must come and follow Jesus. (21) In other words, you must put Jesus before your money. You must become like the little children in the previous story. Like the hymn reads: “nothing in my hands I bring; simply to thy cross I cling”. (Rock of Ages by Augustus Toplady)
Mark tells us the man was disheartened and sorrowful. (22) He felt that way because the price of eternal life was too high for him. He could not give up his wealth in order to follow Jesus. He chose comfort and status in this life over eternal life with Jesus.
The Lesson: Jesus Teaches The Disciples About Money
10:21-31
Having seen the rich man walk away, Jesus began to teach the disciples the problem with money. He said it was very difficult for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God. (23)
The disciples were amazed. Wealth was seen as a sign of God’s favor, so, surely, rich people would get priority passes to the kingdom. In response to their amazement, Jesus doubled down on the thought. He said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom. (25)
That statement is an exaggeration to make a point. Some people with no sense of humor claim it could not be a statement Jesus said because it cannot be done. But that is the point. Jesus later says it is indeed impossible for the wealthy to the wealthy person, on their own, to come into the kingdom.
In response to the criticism, though, someone invented a story that there was a narrow gate called the Eye of the Needle that was too small for a camel to pass through. No such gate has been found. Both groups miss the point. Jesus made an outrageous statement to drive home a truth.
Now, if the disciples had absorbed Jesus’ teaching regarding children, this teaching about rich people would not have been so surprising. Jesus welcomed children who had nothing to offer, no status, no power, no possessions. He emphasized the simple trust that brought them to Jesus.
However, the disciples again display no discernment. They explained “then who can be saved”. (26) They were thinking “if a rich person cannot be saved, no one can be saved”. Jesus agreed that it was not possible with man. But, it is possible with God, as are all things. There is no limit to what can do. (27)
The fact is that no one can come to Christ through their own effort. Jesus said “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him”. (John 6:44)
After Jesus spoke, Peter could not resist the temptation to elevate the disciples in contrast to the rich man. He said they had left everything to follow Jesus. (28) That was true. We know that Peter, Andrew, James and John left their fishing businesses. Matthew walked away from his tax collecting franchise. The rest of the Twelves must have left their lives behind also, since they spent all their time following Jesus around.
Jesus cut off this line of thought, though, by saying all who left their lives to follow him would be rewarded, but also persecuted in this age (in this time). They will receive houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands. I think this is a reference to the growth of the church. Jesus said it will also come with persecutions in like measure in this age. (30)
When you come to Christ, you come also to the church, the body of believers all over the world. You come to a family. All of the brothers, sisters, mothers, and children are yours in Christ. Homes and possessions of the family members are shared with you. All of this happens in this age, which is the age that goes on until the return of Christ.
But in the age to come, they will receive the ultimate reward: eternal life. (31)
Jesus did not let the main point be overlooked, though. He ended his teaching by reminding the that many who are first in this life will be last, and the last first.
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