Mark 10:17-3117And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. 19Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 20And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, 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. 22And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's, 30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. (Mark 10:17‑31)
As Jesus was leaving a city on His way to Jerusalem, a young man came running to ask Him a question. This man was a leader, or ruler, of the people, and no doubt had heard of Jesus and His miracles which could be done only by the power of God. Yet he did not speak to Jesus as One from Heaven, only as “good Master,” meaning Teacher. He knelt down, but that seemed in honor of a teacher, not worship to the Lord.
The young man thought he could do something to obtain that life, and Jesus spoke to him of the laws God had given that people to do. The man said he had kept all those laws from his youth.
Jesus knew the man had not perfectly kept all God’s words, which said to give God the first place and to do for his neighbor as for himself. The man was very rich and there were many poor among his people, and Jesus told him to sell what he owned and give to the poor, and promised him treasure in Heaven, and invited him to follow Him.
But this man did not care as much to have treasure in Heaven, as he did to have his treasures on earth, and He did not value the invitation to follow Jesus, wonderful as it was, because He was the Son of God.
Jesus loved the young man, but he did not love Jesus, and went back to his riches instead of going with Jesus. But his riches could not make him happy, he went away sad. He had come running, and it is right to hurry to come to Jesus; but it seems he had not hurried to know Jesus, but fearing to miss something for himself.
Perhaps the man would have been willing to give some of his property to the poor, but he could not part with all, as Jesus said. The Lord Jesus lived as a poor man on earth, and the young ruler could have had the great honor to have given for His needs, as some others did (Luke 8:33And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:3)).
When the man had gone away, Jesus said to the disciples,
“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into 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.”
Efforts have been made to refer “The eye of a needle” to a wicket gate, through which a camel can pass, by only with great difficulty, but the Lord speaks of it as something “impossible” except to God. Doubtless a common needle was alluded to.
The richest man cannot buy eternal life, nor carry his wealth into the holy kingdom of God. No man, rich or poor, can enter by anything He can do. All must come the way God made possible, by the work of His Son.
ML 04/16/1944