April 22nd, 2012
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Inheriting Eternal Life (Mark 10:17-31)
A. It is difficult for those who are rich or otherwise distinguished
1) What do you have? (17-20)
As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments: `Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.' " "Teacher," he declared, " all these I have kept since I was a boy." (17-20)
2) What do you lack? (21, 22)
Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. (21,22)
B. Eternal life cannot be gained by power, good deeds, or status
1) Human beings are limited but nothing is impossible with God (23-27)
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is [24] to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." (23-27)
2) What does it mean to leave everything to follow Jesus? (28-31)
Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!" "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." (28-31)
Summary
Eternal life doesn't mean that our bodies will not grow old or that we will not die. It means that our spirits are in right relationship with God our Creator and that we live in his peace and blessing. Eternal life does not end after our earthly bodies are gone. The essence of life has to do with the condition of our souls rather than the health of our earthly bodies. God is the giver of eternal life--it is not something human beings can achieve in their own strength. The more we have "achieved" in our own strength (or so we think) here on earth, the more difficult it is to let those things go and to accept God's gift of eternal life. God tells us that unless we rely on him completely, we will never be truly happy. Many people put their trust in things other than God without realizing that this is an error that keeps up from living truly happy, fulfilled lives. For
Discussion
1) What is eternal life?
2) What does it mean to leave everything and follow God?