(1) Context
(NET) The rich man wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, but Jesus had just finished teaching that eternal life was not earned but simply received (10:15).
The rich man asked "what must I do..." which reflected his reliance on what he did. That's why Jesus did not repeat what He said earlier about the child like faith. Rather, Jesus challenged him to see if he can obey the whole Law and he thought that he had done all the Laws v.20.
(2) Repeated words:
good v.17, 18x2
(NET)Jesus’ response, Why do you call me good?, was designed to cause the young man to stop and think for a moment about who Jesus really was. The following statement No one is good except God alone seems to point the man in the direction of Jesus’ essential nature and the demands which logically follow on the man for having said it.
left everything v.28, left home/family/property v.29, receive home/family/property/persecutions and eternal life v.30
Why was there a conversation between Peter and Jesus in v.28-31? I think it is because of the rich man who walked away sorrowful v.22. He wanted his money more than eternal life. He could not let it go. It is just like the camel which with its bulky body could not get through a needle.
(3) Reflection:
a. Someone who wanted eternal life so much that he ran and fell on his knees to ask Jesus this question v.17. However, he did not get it. Jesus did not say anything new. He just repeated the Old Testament Law v.19 and pointed out the one that he thought he had done, but not really v.20-21.
a. Someone who wanted eternal life so much that he ran and fell on his knees to ask Jesus this question v.17. However, he did not get it. Jesus did not say anything new. He just repeated the Old Testament Law v.19 and pointed out the one that he thought he had done, but not really v.20-21.
v.21 “You lack one thing. Go, sell whatever you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”10:22 But at this statement, the man looked sad and went away sorrowful, for he was very rich.
Are we like him? We thought we had obeyed God and we deserve eternal life. That is only our illusion. We do not even obey 1 command from Jesus, "sell..give...you will have treasure in heaven." What a difference of what we think about ourselves and reality.
Are we like him? We thought we had obeyed God and we deserve eternal life. That is only our illusion. We do not even obey 1 command from Jesus, "sell..give...you will have treasure in heaven." What a difference of what we think about ourselves and reality.
b. Scriptures said the rich man cannot obey even when he wanted eternal life so much is because he was very rich. Contrary to what we thought, "very rich" is a curse to him, not a blessing. What is our concept about money? Do you think people who are "very rich" have the "fullest life" or "successful life?"
Audrey
Comments