Mark 10:17-22
Living in the New Covenant is about knowing all that Jesus has done for you, and that you are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). It is NOT about the things that you lack, for the heart of God is to freely give you all things (Romans 8:32). When a believer is always thinking of what they lack, they know that they are listening to the voice of self-righteousness, which points them to their efforts or lack thereof. The daily concentration on lack leads to the daily grind of works; while a focus on Christ and His finished work leads to rest in that finished work.
The gospel accounts of the rich, young ruler teach us an important lesson about how to come to Jesus, and how to win the lost. Some Bible teachers point to this story as an example of how believers should use the Law when they speak to sinners so that they will see their guilt and desire God’s grace. The problem with this example is two-fold: of all the times that Jesus evangelized, this is the only time that He used the Law on a sinner, and it is the only time His evangelism didn’t work!
The young man approaches Jesus with the attitude of works, desiring to know what he needs to do in order to inherit eternal life. His opening statement is one of confusion as he wishes to “inherit” and “do” at the same time. An inheritance comes by birthright, not by actions. You are born into an inheritance otherwise it is a payment for services rendered. Typical of most people, this man wants salvation but chooses to work his way into it if possible.
Jesus goes along with the request, for if it is Law that you desire, it is Law that you will be given. He quotes five of the 10 Commandments for the man, giving him an opportunity to appeal to grace. Instead of realizing what Jesus is doing, the man answers that he has kept all of those commandments from his youth up. This would be a perfect opportunity for Jesus to condemn the man, but instead, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him” (Mark 10:21). What love our Master has, even for and especially for those who are bound down beneath the works of the Law!
So gentle is the rebuke of our Lord that when Jesus exposes the young man’s inability to keep the Law, He does it in a way to bring no shame and embarrassment to him. He tells him to sell all that he has and give it to the poor and then come and follow him. The young man is guilty of breaking the very 1st Commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”. His wealth is his security and his god, and he is unable to leave it behind.
“One thing you lack” (Mark 10:21) is what Jesus says to the rich, young ruler because when you appeal to Christ based upon your works, you will always come up lacking in performance. This is the only person to whom Jesus said, “One thing you lack” because all others came to Him looking for unmerited, unearned favor. When you appeal to grace, it will never be about what you lack, but about what and who He is.
Our job as evangelists is not to shine the Law into people’s spiritual eyes so that they see their guilt. Jesus only evoked the power of the Law on those who claimed to be able to keep it. If you encounter someone who stands behind their talent and ability, then use the Law to show them their sin, otherwise be quick to give the grace of God, for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
Living in the New Covenant is about knowing all that Jesus has done for you, and that you are complete in Him (Colossians 2:10). It is NOT about the things that you lack, for the heart of God is to freely give you all things (Romans 8:32). When a believer is always thinking of what they lack, they know that they are listening to the voice of self-righteousness, which points them to their efforts or lack thereof. The daily concentration on lack leads to the daily grind of works; while a focus on Christ and His finished work leads to rest in that finished work.
The gospel accounts of the rich, young ruler teach us an important lesson about how to come to Jesus, and how to win the lost. Some Bible teachers point to this story as an example of how believers should use the Law when they speak to sinners so that they will see their guilt and desire God’s grace. The problem with this example is two-fold: of all the times that Jesus evangelized, this is the only time that He used the Law on a sinner, and it is the only time His evangelism didn’t work!
The young man approaches Jesus with the attitude of works, desiring to know what he needs to do in order to inherit eternal life. His opening statement is one of confusion as he wishes to “inherit” and “do” at the same time. An inheritance comes by birthright, not by actions. You are born into an inheritance otherwise it is a payment for services rendered. Typical of most people, this man wants salvation but chooses to work his way into it if possible.
Jesus goes along with the request, for if it is Law that you desire, it is Law that you will be given. He quotes five of the 10 Commandments for the man, giving him an opportunity to appeal to grace. Instead of realizing what Jesus is doing, the man answers that he has kept all of those commandments from his youth up. This would be a perfect opportunity for Jesus to condemn the man, but instead, “Then Jesus beholding him loved him” (Mark 10:21). What love our Master has, even for and especially for those who are bound down beneath the works of the Law!
So gentle is the rebuke of our Lord that when Jesus exposes the young man’s inability to keep the Law, He does it in a way to bring no shame and embarrassment to him. He tells him to sell all that he has and give it to the poor and then come and follow him. The young man is guilty of breaking the very 1st Commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me”. His wealth is his security and his god, and he is unable to leave it behind.
“One thing you lack” (Mark 10:21) is what Jesus says to the rich, young ruler because when you appeal to Christ based upon your works, you will always come up lacking in performance. This is the only person to whom Jesus said, “One thing you lack” because all others came to Him looking for unmerited, unearned favor. When you appeal to grace, it will never be about what you lack, but about what and who He is.
Our job as evangelists is not to shine the Law into people’s spiritual eyes so that they see their guilt. Jesus only evoked the power of the Law on those who claimed to be able to keep it. If you encounter someone who stands behind their talent and ability, then use the Law to show them their sin, otherwise be quick to give the grace of God, for it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
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