What Must I do?

IntroIn Mark 10:17-31 a rich man kneels before Jesus and asks about how to make it to heaven. Jesus’ answer shocks everyone who hears it, especially those who are trying to work their way into heaven. TextCommentRich ManThe rich man was desperate to get an answer from Jesus, but he failed to recognize the true identity of Jesus and his own identity. Had he recognized his brokenness, he wouldn’t have asked, “What must I do?” He would have asked, “Will you save me?”
Mark 10:17-18 (NLT) As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good.”Jesus was on his way out of town. This man is desperate to get an answer from him before he leaves. He likely had heard Jesus teach during his time in the region. At the very least, he had heard from others about Jesus and the kinds of things he had been teaching. There was something in Jesus’ teaching that caused this man to think that Jesus had the answer to his question. It’s the most important question we could ever seek the answer to - How can we restore our relationship with God and have eternal life? He runs to Jesus and kneels before him. He’s desperate to catch him before he leaves town. He’s pursuing him. We talk all the time about pursuing God. Are we really pursuing him? Are we chasing him with intent, or are we just wandering around and if we happen to run into him that’s great? Are we desperate for him to give us answers and guidance? He calls him “Good teacher”. This title was never applied to rabbis in Jesus’ day. The title implied perfection and being completely without sin. Only God was called good by the ancient rabbis. He’s on the right track, but does he understand why he’s on the right track? Jesus wants to help the young man really process and think about the gravity of what he is saying. “Why do you call me good?” Jesus never denied his goodness. He didn’t say, “I’m not good.” He’s trying to help the man understand that he is good because he is God. The young man didn’t truly recognize Jesus’ identity. The Bible proclaims Jesus is fully God. Passages like John 1:1, Colossians 1:15, Jesus did things only God can do - power over the elements, walking on water, conquering death. He received worship. Only God can receive worship.

Mark 10:19-22 (NLT) But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.Because he didn’t recognize Jesus’ identity, he didn’t recognize his own true identity. He didn’t recognize his brokenness and need for a savior. He thought he was righteous. He thought he was blameless by the law. He wasn’t. He may have looked blameless by the outward letter of the law but he certainly fell short from the heart of the law. All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. If he did, he wouldn’t have asked, “What must I do?” He would have begged Jesus to save him. This man is sincere. This isn’t like the religious leaders who are trying to trap Jesus with their questions. He genuinely is seeking the answer. He’s asking the question that no one else has asked Jesus up to this point, at least not that it’s recorded in scripture - not even the disciples. Notice that Jesu