The FaithOfJesus2 Daily Devotional

Focus:

kjv@Revelation:14:12 @ Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.

( FaithOfJesus thread begun by rRandyP )

Today's Verse:

kjv@Mark:10:17-31

kjv@Mark:10:17 @ And 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?

kjv@Mark:10:18 @ And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

kjv@Mark:10:19 @ Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

kjv@Mark:10:20 @ And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth,

kjv@Mark:10:21 @ Then 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.

kjv@Mark:10:22 @ And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

kjv@Mark:10:23 @ And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

kjv@Mark:10:24 @ And 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!

kjv@Mark:10:25 @ It 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.

kjv@Mark:10:26 @ And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

kjv@Mark:10:27 @ And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

kjv@Mark:10:28 @ Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

kjv@Mark:10:29 @ And 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,

kjv@Mark:10:30 @ But 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.

kjv@Mark:10:31 @ But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Today's notes:

Context:

Before - As a child
After - going up to Jerusalem

Key Concepts:

slide:kjv@the+cross+

What is God's righteousness observed doing?:

Attempting to draw out the vast distinction between the type of good master that one would ask good advice from and the the Good Master one would sell all that he had to bear the cross and follow; in other words "God".
Attempting to draw out the vast distinction between what man is capable of doing towards his salvation and what only God is capable of doing for man.
Jesus identifying Himself as the Emanuel "God with us" within the discernment we place upon this distinction.

What does this tell us about God's righteousness?:

The "gods in their own eyes" man, some, will see eternal life as their birthright (virtue of who they are or what they've done). Others in knowing their depravity and end seek to achieve salvation from such by what obedience they have sacrificed themselves to. The life eternal has little or nothing to do with any of that, it has to do with what God alone is able to do. Measurement of this rich man's heart is the same as the measurement of our hearts, all hearts, is it seeking advice on how to make more of what it already is or is it ready to get on with the divine plan of God? Only God's plan is good in this sense. Jesus is the "God with us" "Son of God" "know me know my Father who sent me".

How is man reacting?:

Leaving from the master sad and grieved.
Rightly sensing the impossibility of all men to obtain salvation into the eternal life.

Notes:

Jesus had to love the young man for his love and zeal for the law, perhaps David like meditation daily on the precepts of such. His look of compassion upon the lad surely was born from the pleasure He saw in the sincere inquiry.

For all that he did and observed, the one thing the rich man lacked is the one thing needed which we all lack: complete surrender to God's doing. The cross is not the end of all things it is the beginning. It is from there God can work in and on and through us.

Context previous to this ties us into the thought of Child, the disciples basing decisions upon what the flesh sees as the right thing to do, the offense made upon the little ones stealing away their faith. It is a grand picture that Mark has submitted for our viewing, to be viewed in the light of Jesus' soon departure.

Key Messages:

What does this say about our present condition?

Critics see this passage as a claim of Jesus not to be God when in fact it is every bit the opposite. Why else would a man give up all and take on Christ's cross to follow Him Jesus? It is impossible for the man to make such a decision because it is impossible for him to ascertain Jesus being God without the Father first revealing it to him as being so. Once ascertained, it is not only possible for him, it is most desirous and natural.
Many Christian's would see this passage as proof of their prosperity message; this life and the next. The question then would be at what point did they give up all to follow and bare? and what persecution came because of it? Does the reward come before the sacrifice? Did their "good master" mean Lord and savior or financial advice columnist?
Many would claim the passage to deride the notion of riches and or even possessions. Why then would Jesus replace them in greater numbers this life and next if first things come first?

Further Resources:

Comment Board:Mark:10:17-31
index:FAITHOFJESUSDEVOTION - Devotional Index
strkjv@Mark:10:17-31 rwp@Mark:10:17-31 mhcc@Mark:10:17-31
FaithOfJesus2 - Devotion Index

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