Mark 10:17-31

A young man came to Christ Jesus, asking a question of eternal importance.

Mark tells us this young man came running to Jesus, and kneeling in front of the Lord he asked, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Jesus began by answering the man’s question with a question. “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.”

When the man addressed Jesus as Good Master, he was really calling Him good teacher. This man really saw Jesus as a man. The only good one, Jesus said, is God. Christ’s reply indicated, or should have indicated, that He was God and had the way to eternal life.

Jesus reminded the man of the commandments, but the man said he had observed them since he was a youth.

Looking at the young man, Christ Jesus showed love toward him as He does to all people in need of salvation.

Jesus knew this man’s heart so well He could say with absolute authority, “One thing thou lackest.”

This one thing the young man lacked was his willingness to give sacrificially. He would not turn loose of his wealth and lay up his treasure in heaven. The young man would not take up the cross and follow Jesus.

The young man was said because of Christ’s words. Mark tells us “he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved.”

Now, it is possible for a person to come eagerly to Christ Jesus and worship Him, and not be saved. A man or woman can draw close to the Savior, asking the best questions, and not have eternal life.

Jesus looked at His disciples and said to them, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” It is very difficult to part with earthly wealth and take up Christ’s cross.

It is hard, Jesus said, for people who trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God. There are so many temptations and commitments that wealthy people will find it hard to turn loose of their wealth.

It is not impossible, though, for a wealthy person to be saved and to go to heaven. Jesus said all things are possible with God. In other words, God helps people overcome anything that would come between them and eternity with Him.

Truthfully, no one has ever really given up anything for to follow Christ because when we follow Him, we gain so much more than we had in the beginning.

— The Sunday school lesson is written by Ed Wilcox, pastor of Centerville Baptist Church, Lumberton, N.C. edwilcox@nc.rr.coms.