What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
Devotions on Mark 10:17-31
Monday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“’What must I do to inherit eternal life’” (Mark 10:17)?
Diego Francisco took his first breath at 9:47 in the morning. He weighed in at a hefty 8 lbs. 6 oz. and was 21 inches long. His mother had been in labor for fourteen hours before he was born and Diego’s father had constantly been by her side. Diego would never make the claim that he had worked hard to be born. Rather he and the members of his family would view Diego’s birth and life as gifts. Two weeks later Diego’s parents brought him before their congregation and had him baptized. Again, Diego was only a participant—a noisy one at that! Forgiveness of sins, new life, adoption into God’s family and the Holy Spirit were all gifts.
It is easy for us to fall into the temptation of believing that we need to work hard and earn life—especially eternal life. This was the assumption of the rich, young man who approached Jesus so long ago. Had the young man divested himself of his possession and followed Jesus, he would have soon discovered that life, whether physical or eternal, was not dependent on his wealth or his efforts. It was and is a gift. As we follow Jesus, we continually rediscover and celebrate this truth.
Thank you, Lord, for the gift of life—especially the gift of eternal life. Amen.
Tuesday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
Teacher, I have kept all these [commandments] sin my youth” (Mark 10:20)
There are times when truth stops being the truth. Such times, to say the least, are traumatic times. They require people to make uncomfortable and unwelcome changes. Many of us were taught that Christopher Columbus discovered American in 1492. Decades ago textbooks were rewritten when it was discovered the Leif Erickson had arrived on the East Coast around 1000 CE. Until the mid-nineteenth century, many in the Christian Church believed that slavery was acceptable. A war was fought to change such beliefs, but we still struggle with racism in the United States. Today another truth is changing. For centuries the Church has taught that being gay was an abomination. We now realize that God was never against gays and that committed same sex marriage is acceptable in God’s eyes.
Truth changes. When it does, we can follow the example of the rich young man and stomp off because we do not want to change. Or, we can accept the change and decide to follow Jesus. Two truths that won’t change is that God so loved the world that God gave us his son, and we have been commanded to love one another as God has loved us.
Lord, hold us tight and guide us through times of change. Amen.
Wednesday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“’You lack one thing, go sell what you own and give the money to the poor’” (Mark 10:21).
It is interesting how we either ignore this statement by Jesus or make excuses why we don’t need to abide by it. There are some who argue that Jesus really didn’t mean what he said—he couldn’t because of what would happen if everyone sold everything. We’d all be homeless and a burden to others. Others speculate that Jesus wanted to demonstrate how absolutely impossible it is to work one’s way into God’s kingdom. All of our arguments seem rather hollow, though—like children trying to convince their parents that an all chocolate diet would be a good, healthy alternative to fruits and vegetables.
Jesus talked a lot about wealth—more than he did about heaven. Never did Jesus indicate that the accumulation of worldly good was the path his followers should take. Frequently he warned about the problems and risks of wealth.
When we read this verse, it is necessary for us to keep these thoughts in our minds. Putting all of our excuses aside, let us sit before these words and pray, “Speak Lord, for your servants are listening.” We might be surprised and challenged by what the Lord has to say.
We have much to learn Lord, especially in the area of wealth. Teach us and may we be willing students. Amen.
Thursday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“Come follow me” (Mark 10:22).
The greatest adventures begin with the simple invitation, “Come follow me.” Many of our fathers said this to us and would then lead us down hiking trails and into fairs and amusement parks. Teachers offer this invitation to their students when they are on field trips. First responders say these words and then lead us to safety.
Jesus invited his disciples to come and follow him. When they followed him, the disciples heard Jesus teach, they saw miracles and they experienced Jesus’ love, grace, mercy and forgiveness. They experienced new life. The rich, young man didn’t accept Jesus’ invitation. He returned to his life of scrupulously keeping the law and counting his money.
As followers of Jesus, we have accepted Jesus’ invitation to come follow him. The adventure has begun. New life is ours.
Thank you for the invitation to walk with you. Wherever you lead, empower us so that we can obediently follow. Amen.
Friday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“When he heard this he was shocked and went away grieving” (Mark 10:22).
Sheila was sitting in church waiting for the worship service to begin, when she notice Jennifer Nolans walk in and sit down. Sheila and Jennifer had gotten into a rift a little over a year ago. Jennifer spread some rumors about Sheila that were outright lies. Sheila hadn’t spoken to her since. God spoke to Sheila that morning. “I want you to forgive Jennifer,” the voice said. “Lord, I can’t,” Sheila replied. “I want you to forgive Jennifer,” the voice repeated, “then come and follow me.”
An Arab, Muslim family moved into the house next door to Sargent Kenneth Russel and his family. Sargent Russel had served in both Iraq and Afghanistan. Several of his best friends had been killed or maimed in those wars. Sargent Russel held all Arabs and all Muslims responsible. God spoke to Sargent Russel a couple of weeks after his new neighbors had moved in. “I want you to become their friend and love them,” the voice said. “I can’t,” Sargent Russel replied. “You didn’t see what those scumbags did to my friends.” “I did see what they did. I still want you to befriend them and love them. Then come and follow me.”
The Holy Spirit always leads us out of our comfort zones or asks us to do things that we, at first, do not want to do. Like the rich, young man, we struggle to obey. Sometimes after we wrestle with God’s Spirit, we eventually obey. At other times, we are like the rich, young man. We are shocked by what God wants and we turn away from God grieving. We don’t know what became of the rich, young man. Perhaps he repented of his hard heart, found Jesus and then followed him. Maybe he was content counting his money. We do know that Jesus never turns his back on us and the invitation to come and follow him is always extended to us.
Create within us, Lord, a new heart so that we always desire to heed your voice and obey. Amen.
Saturday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“How hard it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:23).
There are some people who read this verse and imagine a sign hanging on the pearly gates of heaven that reads, “No Admittance to the 1%.”—the infamous 1% who own a disproportionate amount of the earth’s resources and who received the biggest benefit from tax reforms. They’ve enjoyed their wealth while others are homeless and hungry. There will come a time when their fortunes will be reversed.
Of course we never place ourselves in the category of “those who have wealth.” After all, we work hard for the little that we have! It might be necessary for us to change our perspective. First we would include ourselves with the wealthy. Living in industrialized nations means that we are in the top 3% in terms of wealth in the world. It might be that Jesus wasn’t referring to the kingdom of God in the great bye and bye. Rather, Jesus might have been referring to the kingdom that he ushered in by his life, death and resurrection—the one he was referring to when he said, “Repent and believe for the kingdom of God is here.”
Our wealth gets in our way of participating in God’s kingdom. Instead of trusting in God’s provision, we worry about our 401k’s when the stock market takes a dip. We park blocks away from the store and use two spaces when we park our new car. Worried about burglars, we make our homes more secure than Fort Knox and we pay more to keep our excess possession in storage facilities than we give to the church and to the needs of others. Our wealth enslaves us rather than frees us.
Jesus’ words are not a threat, but rather a reminder. Wealth has its price, while the kingdom of God is a free gift.
Open our hands, Lord, so that we do not grasp but rather give. Amen.
Sunday–What Must I Do To Inherit Eternal Life
“For mortals it is impossible but not for God for all things are possible” (Mark 10:31).
Martin Luther wrote that there are two uses for the law (Calvin argued for three). There is the civil use of the law. The commandments against adultery, murder, lying and coveting help us to live in peace with one another. The theological use of the law, reminds us that no matter how hard we try we will never be able to keep the law perfectly. We will always need a savior and God’s kingdom will always be a gift.
The disciples were confronted with the theological use of the law. They heard Jesus talk to the rich, young man and tell him that he needed to sell everything and give it to the poor. The disciples also heard Jesus’ warnings about the problems of wealth—instead of a blessing it might be a curse. Salvation appeared to be unattainable.
Jesus reminds the disciples and us that, though things may be beyond our reach, nothing is impossible for God. We can’t earn our salvation and enter into God’s kingdom. God, however, can give God’s kingdom to us as a gift—and it is not some future hope, it is ours to experience and enjoy today.
Thank you for your gifts, Lord, and for the comfort in knowing that we do not need to try any harder. Amen.