Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? (v. 17)
MISSION IMPOSSIBLE
The parable of the rich
young man who asks Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life is
one of the most well-known passages in the Bible. It’s also one of the
most troubling. Does Jesus expect us – as he expected the rich young
man – to do the impossible? Sell everything you have, he said, give it
to the poor, and then you will have treasure in heaven. Like the rich
young man, we are unable by ourselves to do what Jesus expects from
us.
We are who we are. As human beings, we are weak, naked, sinful.
We are fully exposed as we come before our Lord.
But there is good news in the story of the rich young man. It
doesn’t end when he walks away, dejected, from his encounter with Jesus. Later
in Mark’s narrative, disciples who had overheard the conversation were amazed to
realize what Jesus was saying: Although the goal of achieving eternal life is
impossible for mankind, nothing is impossible for God. With God’s help, we can
learn to give up everything and follow in our Savior’s footsteps.
The Bible narrative never speaks about what happened to that sad
young man who wanted to be saved. Maybe, with God’s help, he did finally inherit
the eternal life for which he longed. We do know that God’s mercy is boundless
and that he wants each of his children to inherit the kingdom. That is the good
news.
Gracious Father, I come to you, just as I am. May I allow my
life to be guided by your Holy Spirit.
Larry Ehrlich
