Oct 12, 2012
Focus reading Mark 10:17-31 Subscribe on Itunes
Jump and let God catch you.
We can’t do anything to earn or buy our salvation that was the message of last week’s sermon and it’s the message of this week’s too. The key to understanding the story of the Rich Young Ruler is not “obey the law” (Mk 10:19) nor is it “sell all you have and give the money to the poor” (v21), it isn’t even that stuff about camels, needles and rich people (v23-26). Instead the key to understanding this passage is, “For mortals it is impossible, but not for God; for God all things are possible.” (v27)
The rich man thought he was pretty good. He believed he had obeyed the Commandments, but Jesus knew better. He knew that this young man was not totally obedient and so to prove his point, he picked his soft spot. The young man couldn’t obey Jesus’ command to give up his wealth. God demands everything of us, but like the young man, we all fall short. We all fail to give our all. We all keep something back. Some of us (not me) get closer than others. But none of us make the mark.
The Good News is that our salvation and our value in God’s eyes does not depend on what we do or what we give. God loves us unconditionally and is there to catch us when we fall short. God does the work, not us! The rich young man asked the wrong question. Instead of asking “What should I do?” He should have asked, “How do I receive eternal life?” So give up doing, start trusting, jump, and let God catch you. God’s bungy rope (Jesus), won’t fail you.
Questions for thought or discussion:
What held the young man back? What things if any hold you back from trusting in God? Who is good?