UNDAILY Episode 144
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good-except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad because he had great wealth. Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
MARK 10, 17-27 (NIV)
An unidentified man comes to Jesus and asks, "Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" This is a question many of us ask at various points in our lives. Jesus responds by emphasizing the need to follow the commandments. The man proudly admits that he has kept all these commandments since childhood. However, Jesus goes further and tells him, "You lack one thing: go, sell everything you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." The rich young man went away sad because he had great wealth. His riches became a barrier to spiritual fulfillment. Or perhaps it wasn't the wealth itself but rather his attitude towards it? Selfishness, attachment to material goods, and comfort are all obstacles to sincerely opening up to God. Seeing this, Jesus says, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" His words shock the disciples, who ask, "Then who can be saved?" Jesus replies, "With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God." (...)
Comments