Welcome to the “But first, Bible” daily devotional podcast with Dave Miers.
Our readings for today are Numbers 32-33 and Mark 10:1-31.
In Mark 10 we will learn an important lesson about how we can receive eternal life from God. Let’s look at the interaction of Jesus with a man who asks an important question.
Check out Mark 10:17–22,
[17] And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” [20] And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” (ESV)
The man wants to receive eternal life, and so Jesus asks him in verse 19 if he knows a bunch of commandments. The man says he knows them AND he has kept them.
In Exodus 20 we learn about the 10 Commandments that the LORD gave to Israel after he had rescued them from slavery in Egypt. They were called to walk in obedience with the God of their salvation.
Of the 10 Commandments, commandments 1-4 are often summarised as our duty towards God, and commandments 5-10 are often summarised as our duty towards our neighbour.
Did you notice that the only commandments that Jesus mentioned are from the second half regarding our duty towards neighbour?
In response to these the man says: yep, nailed all of them.
What about the first 4 commandments? How has the man gone at keeping those?
The story continues in Mark 10:21-22,
[21] And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [22] Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (ESV)
The unwillingness of the man to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Jesus reveals that as good as this man was at keeping the second half of the commandments, he lacked a love for the LORD as his God.
This shocks the disciples, look at their response in Mark 10:23–27,
[23] And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” [24] And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! [25] It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” [26] And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” [27] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (ESV)
What a strong warning to those who have great wealth!
The reality? It’s impossible to DO anything to inherit eternal life. There is nothing we can do to earn eternal life because we’ve all fallen short of the command to Love God and Love our neighbour as ourselves.
And so, how does God make the impossible possible?
Jesus hints at it in the very next section. Look at Mark 10:33–34,
[33] saying, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the scribes, and they will condemn him to death and deliver him over to the Gentiles. [34] And they will mock him and spit on him, and flog him and kill him. And after three days he will rise.” (ESV)
How do you normally receive an inheritance? It’s through the death of a family member. The way that we receive eternal life and treasure in heaven is through trusting in the death and resurrection of our brother: Jesus.
Salvation comes not to those who try to earn it, but to those who know they can’t earn it and are dependent on our Father’s generosity shown in Christ Jesus.
Until tomorrow, keep trusting Jesus.