“Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:26b-27
I continue my study of Mark, leaning on the Christ-Centered Exposition commentary series volume for Mark. Today, my focus is a commentary-assisted review of Mark 10:17-31. Excerpts from the commentary's second (of three) division (vv23-27):
- The title for the second division per the commentary is: "It Is Harder Than You Think."
- "The rich young ruler had come to the right person: Jesus. He had asked the right question: How do I inherit eternal life? He had received the right answer: Honor God and follow Jesus in complete trust like a little child. Sadly he did not respond correctly, and he walked away from the only true source of eternal life. “When Jesus called this young man to give up his money, the man started to grieve, because money was for him what the Father was for Jesus. It was the center of his identity. To lose his money would have been to lose himself” (Keller, King’s Cross, 132)."
- "Jesus was not condemning wealth and commending poverty. This is not a call for asceticism. The point is, wealth breeds confidence in one’s self, and it has an addictive quality. Scripture addresses its dangerous attraction (see Matthew 6:19-21,24; Luke 12:13-21; 16:19-30; 1 Timothy 6:17). It becomes life’s priority and the things of God go by the wayside."
- Jesus shares that "it takes only one thing like wealth to keep you out of God’s kingdom. [The disciples] did not see that coming. Jesus turns the value system of the world on its head."
- "Judaism was guilty of its own “prosperity theology.” Wealth and riches were seen as an evidence of God’s favor (see Job 1:10; 42:10; Psalms 128:1-2; Isaiah 3:10). Jesus corrected their bad theology. Actually, wealth can build a barrier to the one thing necessary to enter the kingdom: helpless, childlike trust in Jesus (v15)."
- "His answer to their question is one of the great theological affirmations in the Bible: “With men it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Salvation is something man cannot accomplish."
- Only God saves!
It is both easier and harder than we think to be saved. Easier in the sense that all we need to do is confess and be saved - there is not a thing we can do but God can do this for us. At the same time, if we don't do this we cannot be saved. This is the conclusion we must all reach to be saved - that God controls all the details of my life, holds my life and eternal destiny in His hands, and He saves! There is not a thing we can do...God must incline our ears to hear Him and soften our hearts. We must then confess Jesus as Lord and Savior and then follow Him daily.
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My Prayer: Father God, You are an awesome God who loves and saves. Thank You for saving me. I am not deserving of my salvation. My sin is great and it continues...daily. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please continue to heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
