| Mar 10:21- Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. |
The Poor Young Man…
Here is a meeting between Christ and the Rich Young Ruler. This episode is recorded in all the three synoptic Gospels (Mt. 19: 16-26, Mk. 10:17-27 and Lk. 18:18-27). From these three passages we know that this man was RICH, YOUNG and also a RULER (probably in the synagogue). He has Health, Wealth and a Position in the Society. In a worldly sense, he may be the successful and happy person.
The True rich are only the ones that know the Savior personally and have the assurance of eternal life (Jn. 5:24)
And in all humility and sincerity, this man ran to Jesus and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
This man is eternity conscious, though he is rich and young, he yet thinks about eternal life. Heb. 11:9, 10 - By faith Abraham lived in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs of the same promise with him. For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Are we eternity Conscious in day to day life?
Some critics say that Jesus is denying His Goodness here in this passage which is not true. Jesus claimed Himself that He is the Good Shepherd (Jn. 10:11). So here, Jesus is not disclaiming or denying His Goodness or Deity rather affirming that He is Good and He is God and saying to this man that all are sinners except God. In fact, Jesus was asking him; if you call me good, do you believe that I Am God. Here Jesus was enquiring his motives – WHY do you call ME good?
Sincerity and humility in seeking out for an Answer is not just enough there need to be courage and faith to follow the Answer
And Jesus said unto him, You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, do not defraud, honor your father and your mother.
And he answered and said to Him, Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.
Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him and said to him, One thing you lack. (If you want to be perfect), Go, sell whatever you have and give it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in Heaven. And come, take up the cross and follow Me.
And he was sad at that saying and went away grieved, for he had great possessions.
This young man’s heart cannot be separated from His riches. “Here Jesus is not making either philanthropy or poverty as the requirement for salvation, but exposing the young man’s heart” (John MacArthur).
Mat 6:24 No one can serve two masters. For either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.
Mat 5:48 - Therefore be perfect, even as your Father in Heaven is perfect.
Jesus loves Young People and He asks us to make certain sacrifices for eternal gain. How good it will be if we follow His command and become His Disciples.
Oh, the love that drew salvation’s plan!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!
Oh, the grace that brought it down to man!
Oh, the mighty gulf that God did span at Calvary!
Mercy there was great, and grace was free;
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary
Pardon there was multiplied to me;
There my burdened soul found liberty at Calvary
Mat. 16:24- Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me
Jn. 12:26-If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there also My servant shall be. If anyone serves Me, the Father will honor him.
It will be very interesting to see from the Bible some of those “one thing” s that Bible Underlines. We see this phrase many times in the Bible, but coming weeks I am hoping to study and write on these following verses…
1. Psa 27:4 One thing have I asked of Jehovah, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of Jehovah all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of Jehovah, And to inquire in his temple.
2. Ecc 12:13 (GNB) After all this, there is only one thing to say: Have reverence for God, and obey his commands, because this is all that we were created for.
3. Lam 3:21 (GNB) Yet hope returns when I remember this one thing:
4. Luk 10:42 But one thing is needful: for Mary hath chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
5. Joh 9:25 He therefore answered, Whether he is a sinner, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.
6. 1Co 4:2 (GNB)The one thing required of such servants is that they be faithful to their master.
7. Php 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself yet to have laid hold: but one thing I do, forgetting the things which are behind, and stretching forward to the things which are before,
8. 2Pe 3:8 But forget not this one thing, beloved, that one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
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