“I Have Kept All These Things from My Youth”?!

HC LD 2, Mark 10.17-27

The famous street evangelist Ray Comfort always asks a series of questions to test the awareness of people of their sins. His line of questioning usually goes like this - have you told a lie? Even a white lie? Have you lied your way out of things? How many times have you lied? What does that make you? And the answer people inevitably come to is that they are liars. Logical, right? If you lie, you’re a liar. Another of his lines of questioning goes like this. Have you ever stolen something? Even something small? Something you knew didn’t belong to you and you had no intention of returning it? What does that make you? And the answer people inevitably give, is that they are thieves. Logical, right? If you have stolen, you’re a thief. It takes some of these people awhile before they admit they are what they said they’ve done. He then asks if God were to judge them for their lies and thefts if they would stand in the judgment. Some of his interviewees shrug it off, others become angry, still others become introspective and willing to listen to the message of deliverance. As we saw last week, we need to have a knowledge of our sin and misery and deliverance in order to have comfort. Some go away confounded and disturbed.

Jesus does the same thing here - when he encountered this self-sufficient young man who thought he deserved eternal life because he was without sin. Or you could say, Ray Comfort was only following what Jesus did. This encounter happened on the road toward Judea. Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem where he’d celebrate the Passover and give his life an atonement for the sins of his people. And along this journey, he met many people. This is where he healed the 10 lepers, but only 1 - a Samaritan - returned and gave thanks because he knew from what he had been delivered. This is where he also received the faith and repentance of Zacchaeus - who had been comforted because he was delivered from his sin and misery - and he demonstrated his thankfulness by his lavish restitution of all that he stole. In this encounter with the rich young ruler, we learn 3 truths. Firstly, many have a genuine interest in eternal life. Secondly, many think they can fulfill the requirement for eternal life. Thirdly, many will fail to obtain eternal life.

Firstly, many have a genuine interest in eternal life. At the very least, there are many who have a genuine interest in religious things, in morality, in spirituality. As Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, his fame had been increasing already. And in verse 17 we see that there was one who came running to Jesus, and he knelt down before him and asked - “Good Master (or good teacher), what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” He ran to Jesus - this showed his enthusiasm. He must’ve heard about Jesus because he called him “good teacher.” The running showed that he sought to keep up with Jesus - there was an urgency about it. At first sight, this seems very promising. Here was a man whose disposition toward Jesus was one of urgency and reverence. We learn that he knelt down before him. This was very different from the Pharisees. Yes, many Pharisees also came to him and called him Rabbi - but they were there to trick him. They despised him. But this man called him good teacher. Where most were indifferent to spiritual things, he showed anxiety over it. This characteristic is not common among all men, but we must also admit that a great many people do have concerns like this.

You have in the Bible a number of people who came to Jesus. Some came for feeding, others came for healing; but yet some came genuinely seeking. Nicodemus came to Jesus by night. He knew he was from God. Zacchaeus strained to see Jesus. He needed forgiveness from his sin. Mary came to anoint Jesus’ feet. She had been taught by him. And so here came this rich young ruler who was genuine in his question - “what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” But while Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and Mary had a genuine interest that led to salvation, this man went away sorrowing - because the requirements were too great for him. And we see that there are those who have a genuine interest, but do not make that further step. We see this in Herod Antipas - the son of Herod the Great - who was interested in spiritual things. Mark 6:20 says, “For Herod feared John (the baptizer), knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.” But Herod did not go far enough. He had a genuine interest, there was religious fear, but there just wasn’t enough. In the end, he feared his wife more - and put John the Baptizer to death. This was the same with Herod’s nephew Herod Agrippa. In Acts 25:22, when Agrippa heard about the Apostle Paul, he said, “I would also hear the man myself.” And he sought Paul out, they talked a long time. He had an interest. But in the end, in Acts 26:28, Agrippa said to Paul, “you almost persuaded me to be a Christian.” Almost. They had a genuine interest in spiritual things that did not go far enough. The question they might have might be genuine enough like the rich young ruler - what must I do to inherit eternal life? But the answer that comes back is often too bizarre and too extreme for people to accept.

That leads to the second truth - many think they can fulfill the requirement for eternal life. Now, he’s often called the rich young ruler for convenience. Matthew calls him young, Luke calls him a ruler, and all of them speak about his riches. So this rich young ruler came to Jesus because like the disciples, he thought he had found the Christ - the one with the words of everlasting life. Jesus responds to him with this question in verse 18 - “And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” In other words, he was establishing this man’s motives. You have come to me - really asking for the way to eternal life? Only God is good. Now, Jesus beheld him - he ran, he knelt, he acknowledged Jesus’ status as a Rabbi, and called him good. But was he prepared to do what Jesus told him to do? It’s like the multitude came to Jesus and called him Lord - but Jesus in Luke 6:46 said to them - “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” Jesus was establishing the man’s motivations. Now, to be sure, we need to understand culture. The teacher or Rabbi held one of the most distinguished offices in Jewish community. Now, it was customary that when the father entered the room, children were required to stand in respect. But if a son became a Rabbi, then when that son entered the room, his father would stand in respect of his son. So it’s with that respect that the rich young ruler asked Jesus this question. But was he prepared to obey?

Now, Jesus also established the man’s theology when he told him only God is good. Now, Jesus is God, and should the man know that, he would’ve obeyed Jesus. At any rate, he should’ve obeyed God who gave the commandment. So this is why Jesus tested him by saying “only God is good.” This man had a superficial understanding of goodness. When Jesus told him to obey all the commandments, the man said that he had. What arrogance. He certainly didn’t understand how good he had to be. Only God is truly good. Your goodness is not good at all. We often compare one another when talking about goodness. All of us here are good compared to those in prison. The disobedient child is not good compared to the obedient child. But the obedient child is not good compared to God. The rich young ruler had a warped sense of goodness. He didn’t understand that true goodness is perfection in obedience. Sinlessness. And only God is without sin. That’s why Paul says in Romans that there is none righteous - there is none that doeth good, no, not one. Yes, people of every tribe, tongue, and nation and even religion can do some good. They can even be self-sacrificial. But while they may do things that conform to the law of God - they don’t do it all the time. And when they do it, they don’t do it with a heart that seeks after God. Good is only good if it is Godward. So, young man, do you really honor God? Do you really love God?

So the man was being put to the test - did he have a right understanding of goodness? Did he have a right understanding of obedience - not only to Jesus a good master, but to God who gave the law? That’s why, he told him next what God requires - you know the commandments - don’t commit adultery, 7th commandment; don’t kill others, 6th commandment; don’t steal, 8th commandment; don’t lie to others, 9th commandment; don’t defraud, or cheat - coveting from others what is not yours, 10th commandment; and honor your father and mother, 5th commandment. In other words, love your neighbor as yourself. That’s what the law of God requires from you, question 4 says - love God and your neighbors.

And what was the response of this young man? Verse 20 - “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.” In other words, all my life I have loved my neighbors as myself. All my life I have been good like God. I should be able then to inherit eternal life! He thought like what many people think - that they can fulfill the requirements to have eternal life. You see, in his mind, the rich young ruler was looking to do something that would make him worthy to inherit the kingdom. He made several errors here. He couldn’t see that God’s goodness could never be achieved. He dishonored God by lowering God’s standards to man’s. He did not love God. He also thought that he kept the commandments of God towards man perfectly. And Jesus was about to show him how wrong he was.

The third truth is this - many will fail to obtain eternal life. He had the mindset he could keep God’s laws and be good like God. But Jesus told him in verse 21 - “One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” Now, Jesus was kind - it wasn’t just one thing he lacked - he lacked many things. But this was the main thing he needed to do - he needed to know - in order to know that he was not good. Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me! And we see in verse 22 that “he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” In other words, he didn’t obey Jesus. You think you’ve done everything all your life according to the good standard God requires of you so that you can have eternal life? Let me show you that you haven’t. Give to the poor! You can’t? You’re stealing from them. You said you’re good from young? But you lie. You can’t even do this. You’re not good. You won’t even save your soul, by giving up all. You’re killing yourself! You love your money more than life and God! You’re prostituting yourself to your wealth. You’ve coveted your wealthy condition - which is temporary, instead of desiring everlasting life in heaven. You call me good, but you dishonor me by disobeying me. And you call God good, but don’t obey him. You not only love yourself more than others, you love yourself more than God.

The reason for the failure to obtain eternal life is several fold. Not only is it impossible to keep the law perfectly, but very often, it is our self-sufficiency that deludes us to think we’re good. Jesus said in verse 23 that it is hard for the rich to enter heaven. And he clarified himself in verse 24. It’s not that being rich prevents one from being saved; rather, as verse 24 says, it’s those who trust in riches. Rather than trusting in God, and seeing their sinfulness and bankrupt condition, their riches deceive them into thinking that they’re okay. God is pleased with them. They don’t need to steal because they’re rich. They don’t need to covet, because they can have what they want. And their riches justify their sins. You see, it was so easy for him as a rich man to keep the letter of the law; but when it got to the real heart issue - he had to surrender his heart to God. He had to give up his self-sufficiency. To be clear, all of us here are probably in the same league as this young man. If that’s the case, how could we be saved? Jesus said that it’s easier for a camel to enter the eye of a needle than a man who trusts in riches to enter heaven. Even his disciples asked that question. And Jesus replied in verse 27 that what’s impossible with man is possible with God.

Many fail to obtain eternal life because they are self-sufficient and do not see their sins against the law. But this rich young ruler went away sorrowing. His confidence was shaken. If he understood Jesus’ teaching of the law, it’s exactness, God’s perfect goodness that we must meet, then he would’ve seen his own sins and misery. As Heidelberg question 3 asks - From where do you know your sins and misery? From the law of God. And now, instead of seeing it as something he could keep, he saw it as something he could not keep. Only when we see that, can we enter the kingdom of God.

And what’s impossible for man is possible for God. Jesus in verse 21 looked at him when he gave the commandment. And he looked at him and loved him. This teaching about the law was not meant to destroy the rich young ruler - it was meant to awaken him - to save him. And we know that God is patient and good toward all people, but he loves his people. He will save them. And perhaps this preaching of the law to this rich young ruler was to make him turn to Christ. The law being the schoolmaster to lead him to Christ. The word grieved as in he went away grieved is too mild a word. The commandment Christ gave him shocked him, he was appalled. He was devastated. He who ran to Jesus walked away. But because he saw his sin and misery and saw that by nature he was inclined to hate God and his neighbor. But God loved him and saved him.

Christ was the only man who kept the law perfectly. It’s because he’s God. He never killed, was always pure, he listened to and obeyed the will of his father, he never stole, or coveted his glory. But what he did was this. He laid aside his glory and became a man. He let himself be killed to give life to his neighbors. He took upon himself the sins and impurities of adulterers and idolaters to purify them. He bore the lies and false witnesses of his enemies. He willingly and generously gave his life for his enemies - for the poor so they might be rich.

So what happened to this rich young ruler? The text doesn’t tell us. But we read beyond the text. Jesus loved him. I believe he was saved. And if we are to believe church tradition as well as certain clues in the Bible, we may even conclude that this rich young ruler was none other than John Mark - the writer of this gospel - the son of a rich woman in Jerusalem. One of the distinctive ways that Mark writes his gospel is his use of the Greek work “eutheos” which means straightaway. It is food more often in Mark’s gospel than all the other gospels combined. And perhaps the reason is this - John Mark when told to sell everything he had and give to the poor - to break him from his works righteousness, delayed. He went away sorrowing because it was too large a price to pay. But later he repented and fulfilled the commandment of the Lord. But he remained remorseful for his lost obedience. If it was him, he struggled with this another time. Which is perhaps why he repeats this word straightaway, continually in the gospel. Dearly beloved, how immediate is your response to this word here? For friends who are yet unbelieving, do you see your sins and misery through the law? Or do you say from young you have kept all the law? Children, do you see your need of a savior? Do you not know that you can’t love God and others perfectly? But that in though, word, and deed, you break it all the time?

Come to Jesus who saves. You can’t save yourself. It’s impossible. But it’s possible with God. When you acknowledge your sins, and all him for salvation, he will save you.

1. Many Have a Genuine Interest in Eternal Life

2. Many Think They Can Fulfill the Requirement for Eternal Life

3. Many Will Fail to Obtain Eternal Life