TO INHERIT ETERNAL LIFE

Word: Mark 10:17-31 Special Study

Key Verse: 21

"Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything
you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow
me."

1. As Jesus started on his way, who came to him? (17a; Lk. 18:18,21,23)

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him."(17a)

A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"(Lk.
18:18)

"All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.(Lk. 18:21)

When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth."(Lk.
18:23)

What was this man’s attitude? (17b; Mt. 19:20)

"Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"(17b)

"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"(Mt. 19:20)

What might be this man's problem(s)?

Perhaps the man is greedy or is too concerned with earthly things.

How and why did Jesus direct his attention toward goodness and God?
(18)

"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone.(18)
2. Why did Jesus then teach about the commandments concerning love for
neighbors? (19; Ex. 20:12-16; Lev. 19:18)

You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do
not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'"(19)

"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the LORD
your God is giving you. "You shall not murder. "You shall not commit adultery. "You
shall not steal. "You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.(Ex. 20;12-16)

"'Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against one of your people, but love your
neighbor as yourself. I am the LORD.(Lev. 19:18)

If he kept the laws perfectly, could he have life? (Dt. 30:16)

For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep
his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the LORD your
God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.(Dt. 30:16)

What did the rich young man declare to Jesus? (20)

"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."(20)

In his heart, did he truly love his neighbor?

Greed is a common sin in this society of want. Truly loving your neighbor
means that you are willing to sacrifice for him – even if it means that you
have less.

3. What was Jesus' attitude toward this man? (21a)

Jesus looked at him and loved him. (21a)

What was the first thing Jesus told him to do? (21b)

"One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and
you will have treasure in heaven."

What does this tell us about applying the law to our life?

Many ideas come from the message that Jesus taught. You do not need to be
a victim of circumstance. We are here to enjoy life, but we must enjoy life
 by obeying God’s Word. Realize that God has given us everything that we
need and we need to enjoy what we have instead of constantly wanting.

What was the second thing Jesus told him to do? (21c)

"Then come, follow me."(21b)

What does this tell us about trusting God? (Compare Mt. 13:44-46)

"The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it
again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field. "Again, the
kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great
value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.(Mt. 13:44-46

4. How did the young man respond to Jesus' direction and invitation?
(22a)

At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, (22a)

Why? (22b)

"because he had great wealth."(22b)

What did Jesus reveal to his disciples about the man's problem? (23)

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the
kingdom of God!"(23)

What did Jesus teach the amazed disciples? (24, 25)

The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to
enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than
for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."(24-25)

What truth did Jesus teach to the even more amazed disciples? (26, 27)

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be
saved?"(26)

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things
are possible with God."(27)
5. In what sense Peter’s response shows that he was just like the rich
young man? (28)

Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"(28)

In what way was Peter different from the man?

Peter left everything and followed Jesus. An act the man in the story seemed
unwilling to do.

What did Jesus promise to bless his disciples? (29-31)

"I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or
mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred
times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--
and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first
will be last, and the last first."(29-31)

Why are persecutions blessings?

"no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields
for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age
(homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields--and with them, persecutions) and
in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first."(29-
31)

What are the real rewards of those who leave a worldly life to live for
Jesus' sake and the gospels?