Not good enough… vs. 16-22

• 1^st – Eternal life… vs. 16
  • Now behold one came and said to [Jesus]
  • Good Teacher -what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?
  • Jesus was on the road to JERUSALEM – His final TRIP leading to the CROSS…
  • When a man came running up [excited] – and KNELT down [humble] before Him – Mark 10:17
  • He called Jesus a GOOD [ἀγαθός] teacher [διδάσκαλος] – recognizing He had the ANSWERS…
  • And asked him the MOST important question of all – how to have ETERNAL [αἰώνιος] life!
  • EVERYONE has this question – we ALL want to go to heaven – NO one wants to go to hell…
  • Therefore – the answer Jesus gives is VERY important…
  • If we want to know what GOOD we must do to go to heaven – Jesus tell us!
• 2^nd – Not Good… vs. 17
  • The question…
    • [Jesus] said to him: Why do you call Me good?
    • Jesus responded with a QUESTION of His own: Why do you call Me GOOD [ἀγαθός]  
    • The problem with the word GOOD – is that it is a comparative ADJECTIVE…
    • Something can only be GOOD – when it is compared to something else…
    • Therefore – in order for Jesus to answer the question – He needed to define GOOD!
    • I might ask which of these is GOOD to eat – DIRT or BROCCOLI…
    • But if I asked which of these is GOOD to eat – BROCCOLI or ICE CREAM…
    • The definition of GOOD changes depending on WHAT we COMPARE it to!
  • No One is good…
    • No one is good but One – that is God!
    • GOOD – there are TWO words in the GREEK that we translate as GOOD…
    • [καλός] – the visible EXTERNAL good works that can be seen…
    • [ἀγαθός] – the invisible INTERNAL moral goodness that define a character!
    • The STANDARD of being GOOD [ἀγαθός] enough to get to heaven is God – Matthew 5:48
    • And since NO one is PERFECT – because ALL are SINNERS – Psalm 14:3
    • No one is morally GOOD [ἀγαθός] enough to get to come into the presence God!
      
    • If we were to ask the average person if they thought they were GOOD or BAD…
    • Almost to the last man – everyone one of them would say they were GOOD…
    • The reason is because they are COMPARING themselves to other people [not to God]
    • They are NOT as BAD as the person in prison – they might be BETTER than their neighbor…
    • But that is THEIR definition – not the STANDARD that God gives!
• 3^rd – Defining Good… vs. 17-18
  • The Law… vs. 17
    • But if you want to enter into life – keep the commandments!
    • Jesus told the young man: SINCE [indicative] he wanted to LIVE – he must [imperative]
    • KEEP [gnomic aorist] – the COMMANDMENTS [ἐντολάς]
    • Referring to the LAW of Moses [תּוֹרָה] – found in the first FIVE book of the Bible…
    • Not just the TEN commandments – ALL 613 COMMANDMENTS in the Law!
    • Do NOT mistake this as a COMMAND to try and KEEP the commandments…
    • Jesus is making the point we are NOT good [ἀγαθός] – because we CANNOT keep them…
    • Only those who are GOOD [ἀγαθός] – could KEEP [aorist] the COMMANDMENTS!
    • We tend to look at the LAW as a list of things we have to DO…
    • But if it is a LIST of things to DO – and the STANDARD is perfection – then it is IMPOSSIBLE…
    • We might be able to keep SOME of the Law – SOME of the time…
    • But the problem is we are NOT good [ἀγαθός] on the inside – we are a SINNER…
    • We are NOT a sinner because we SIN – we SIN because we are SINNERS…
    • Therefore – we will NEVER be able to keep ALL of the LAW!
  • Which command… vs. 18
    • [The young man] said to [Jesus]: Which ones?
    • The young man questions Jesus – which COMMANDMENTS…
    • This was a common question among the Jews – which LAWS were most important!
    • LAWYER came to Jesus and asked him what was the GREATEST command – Matthew 22:36
    • Jesus told him there were TWO: Love God – and LOVE others!
    • Matthew 22:40 – “On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
• 4^th – First command… vs. 18-20
  • Love Others… vs. 18-19
    • Jesus said: You shall not murder. You shall not commit adultery. You shall not steal.
    • You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and your mother.
    • You shall love your neighbor as yourself!
    • Jesus gave the young man FIVE laws – out of the TEN commandments…
    • You will know a GOOD [ἀγαθός] person – because they will [future] NOT [indicative]
    • MURDER – commit ADULTERY – STEAL – or LIE – Exodus 20:13-16
    • You will also know a GOOD [ἀγαθός] person – because of what they do [present]
    • HONOR [imperative] their Father and Mother – Exodus 20:12
    • But all FIVE of these commands can be summed up in ONE statement…
    • A GOOD [ἀγαθός] person is known [indicative] by their LOVE [ἀγαπάω] for others!
    • Leviticus 19:18 – “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
    • The way to KNOW a GOOD [ἀγαθός] person – is by their LOVE [ἀγαπάω]
    • We are IDENTIFIED as DISCIPLES of Jesus – through our LOVE!
    • John 13:35 – “All will know that you are My disciples – if you have love for one another.”
  • Good Man… vs. 20
    • The young man said to Him: All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?
    • The young man was EXCITED – he had KEPT [indicative] all these things since he was a child…
    • And Jesus did NOT argue with him – he was externally a GOOD [καλός] man…
    • Mark even tells us Jesus looked at him – and LOVED [ἀγαπάω] him – Mark 10:21
    • But there was still ONE thing that he LACKED!
    • The ONE thing was NOT something he needed to DO…
    • It was about recognizing WHO he was – he was NOT good [ἀγαθός]
    • And Jesus would prove this to him – by giving him the GREATEST commandment!
• 5^th – Greatest Command… vs. 21-22
  • Love God… vs. 21
    • Jesus said to him: If you want to be perfect – go and sell what you have and give to the poor.
    • And you will have treasure in heaven – and come follow Me!
    • Jesus told [imperfect] the young man – if he wanted to be PERFECT [τέλειος]
    • Then he MUST [imperative] go and sell all he had – and GIVE it to the poor…
    • Then he would [future] have [indicative] TREASURE in heaven – Matthew 6:20
    • Because he obeyed the GREATEST command – and chose to FOLLOW Jesus!
    • Deuteronomy 6:5 – “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart.”
  • Walking away… vs. 22
    • When the young man heard that – he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions!
    • When the young man heard this – he was VERY sad [imperfect]
    • Because he had a LOT [πολύς] of TREASURE on earth!
    • I can almost see the pain on Jesus face as He saw this…
    • He knew the man would WALK away – because he was NOT good [ἀγαθός]
    • The KEY to getting to heaven was NOT giving away all he had…
    • Jesus was showing this young man he LOVED money – more than he LOVED God!
    • The COMMANDS of God were NEVER meant to make us GOOD [ἀγαθός]
    • They were given so that we would know we were NOT good…
    • Like a mirror that can show us how we look – but cannot change our appearance
    • The LAW can show us we are BAD – but has no power to make us GOOD…
    • But realizing that is the Key to Heaven – because now we see we need HELP!
    • Galatians 3:24 – “Therefore the law was our teacher to bring us to Christ!”

• 2^nd – Nothing is Impossible… vs. 23-30
  • 1^st – Danger of money… vs. 23-24
    • Hard to be saved… vs. 23
      • Then Jesus said to His disciples: 
      • Assuredly I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven!
      • Jesus then turned to His DISCIPLES and warned them…
      • AMEN [ἀμήν] – it is HARD [δυσκόλως] for a RICH man to enter HEAVEN!
      • God does NOT lack for ANYTHING – He could make us all very RICH…
      • We might wonder why then does God NOT pour out the BLESSING on us…
      • If we had a BILLION pesos in a bank account – where would put our FAITH…
      • The DANGER of MONEY – is that it takes our eyes OFF of Jesus…
      • There will NOT be many RICH people who make it to heaven!
      • Mark 10:24– “How hard it is for those who TRUST in riches to enter the kingdom of God.”
    • Camel and needle… vs. 24
      • Again I say to you – 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!
      • To emphasize the point – Jesus gave a dramatic illustration…
      • It is EASIER for a camel to go through EYE of a NEEDLE!
      • FIRST view – the EYE of the NEEDLE- was a SMALL gate in the city of Jerusalem…
      • The ONLY way for a camel to enter was to take EVERYTHING off its back…
      • The idea being the ONLY way for a RICH man to enter heaven…
      • Is for him to give away ALL his riches – so he might fit through HEAVENS gate…
      • Sounds nice – but there NEVER any such a gate in Jerusalem…
      • SECOND view – Jesus was talking about putting a camel through the eye of a REAL needle!
      • Money can be a CURSE – it can EASILY become our god…
      • We depend on money to get us out of trouble – rather than on Jesus…
      • It turns out it can really be a blessing to have NO money – to be poor…
      • When we have NO money – it is easier to trust in Jesus [no other options]!
  • 2^nd – Impossible for men… vs. 25-26
    • Who can be saved… vs. 25
      • When His disciples heard it they were greatly astonished saying: Who then can be saved?
      • When the DISCIPLES heard this – they were very ASTONISHED [imperfect]
      • ASTONISHED [ἐκπλήσσω] – to be punched in the stomach and get the wind knocked out…
      • The young man was really GOOD [καλός] on the outside…
      • They assumed if ANYONE was going to be GOOD enough for heaven – it was him…
      • But if he was NOT good [ἀγαθός] enough – then WHO had the POWER [δύναμαι] to be saved!
      • Billy Graham was the most effective evangelist in history…
      • He share the Gospel with over TWO hundred million people – in 185 countries…
      • But what if we were told he was NOT good [ἀγαθός] enough to get to heaven [he was not]
      • If he was NOT good – then what chance does anyone else have!
    • Only with God… vs. 26
      • Jesus looked at them and said to them:
      • With men this is impossible – but with God all things are possible!
      • Jesus looked at his DISCIPLES – knowing they were NOT good [ἀγαθός]
      • And He told them – MEN do NOT have the power [ἀδύνατος] to be saved…
      • But God has ALL [πᾶς] the POWER [δύναμαι] – so He can SAVE us!
      • Ephesians 2:8 – “By grace you have been saved through faith… it is the gift of God.”
      • It is NOT being a BAD person [sinner] – that keeps us OUT of heaven…
      • That is why Jesus became a man – He came to do what we could NOT…
      • Jesus is GOOD [ἀγαθός] – and He showed it by keeping ALL of the LAW [never sinned]
      • Then Jesus – the ONLY good man – went to the CROSS and died in our place…
      • And when we put our FAITH in Him – He makes us GOOD [ἀγαθός]!
      • II Corinthians 5:21 – “God made Christ who never sinned – to be the offering for our sin – so that we could be made [good] with God through Christ.” [NLT]
  • 3^rd – Hope of Salvation… vs. 27-28
    • Following Jesus… vs. 27
      • Then Peter answered and said to [Jesus]:
      • See – we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?
      • It should come as no surprise – PETER had someone to say [ἀποκρίνομαι]
      • LOOK [imperative] – we have left EVERYTHING [πᾶς] – and followed You…
      • THEREFORE [ἆρα] – an ANXIOUS interrogative – that expects a NEGATIVE response!
      • Peter assumed that if the young man was NOT going to make it to heaven…
      • Even if he gave away what LITTLE he had [poor uneducated fisherman] – and followed Jesus…
      • There was NOT much of a chance he would be SAVED either!
        
    • Twelve thrones… vs. 28
      • Jesus said to them: Assuredly I say to you that in the regeneration.
      • When the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory.
      • You who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones – judging the twelve tribes of Israel!
      • Jesus answer to Peter was one of COMFORT…
      • AMEN [ἀμήν] – the DISCIPLES who followed Jesus – in the REGENERATION…
      • REGENERATION – the [πάλιν] new – [γένεσις] beginning…
      • When God would create a NEW heavens and a NEW earth…
      • And the Son of Man [Jesus] sits on His throne – in His GLORY – Revelation 21:5
      • The TWELVE disciples would also sit on TWELVE thrones – judging the TWELVE tribes!
      • Revelation 21:14 – “The wall of the [New Jerusalem] had twelve foundations – and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.”
      • Note there are TWELVE thrones – and TWELVE pillars – so there must be TWELVE apostles…
      • Some say it was MATHIAS [chosen by man] who replaced Judas – Acts 1:26
      • But more likely it was PAUL [chosen by Jesus] who became the TWELFTH – Acts 9:15
      • The DISCIPLES would NOT get to heaven because they were GOOD [ἀγαθός]
      • They did not earn THRONES because they gave away all their MONEY…
      • The KEY to entering into the New Jerusalem – is to FOLLOW Jesus!
  • 4^th – Our Reward… vs. 29-30
    • This life … vs. 29
      • Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children…
      • Or lands – for the sake of My name – shall receive a hundredfold!
      • The promise is NOT just for the DISCIPLES of Jesus…
      • ANYONE [πᾶς] who has every left a house – or family – for the sake of Jesus…
      • Will receive a HUNDRED times as much in this life!
      • When I first came to the Philippines – I was a stranger…
      • I left my home – I left my family – and stepped out into the unknown…
      • But the Lord has blessed me with far MORE than I ever gave up!
    • Eternal life… vs. 29
      • And inherit eternal life!
      • More than being BLESSED in this life – we get the answer to the question…
      • What GOOD thing must we do to receive ETERNAL life [heaven]!
      • We must realize we are NOT good [ἀγαθός] – so we see our NEED for Jesus…
      • Then we can put our FAITH in Him – and we will become a CHILD of God…
      • Because eternal life is NOT earned – it is INHERITED [κληρονομέω]
      • And an INHERITANCE is something that is freely GIVEN to SONS!
      • Revelation 21:7 – “He who overcomes shall inherit [κληρονομέω] all things!”
    • First and Last… vs. 30
      • But many who are first will be last – and the last first!
      • This verse ties into the next chapter – Parable of the days wage…
      • The DISCIPLES were saved – they were going to Heaven…
      • But the question still lingered – who would be the GREATEST in Heaven…
      • So Jesus told them the order would NOT be what they EXPECTED…
      • Many who thought they were FIRST – would end up being LAST!