NOTES for Mar 10:17-31

The evangelists report that Jesus' conversation partner was not only rich, but also young (Matt. 19:20) and influential ("one of the rulers," Luke 18:18). But this brilliant young man has no peace. One question torments him, and he asks it of the Teacher.

Jesus knows that His answer will not make the young man happy. Therefore He says, as it were, to His conversation partner: "Do you really consider Me good? Then receive My word, the good word of the good God, although it will not seem good to you." Evidently the young man thinks he has fulfilled all the commandments of the Law of Moses, and not only those Jesus named. So he is rich, influential, young, and pious. But for some reason he himself is not sure this is enough. And Jesus knows that it is not enough.

Jesus loved the rich young man, and saddened him. Sometimes God's love is manifested in the fact that He saddens us. He saddens us so that our eyes may be opened, and then there is hope of salvation. It is better for us to "go away sorrowful" for a time than to continue in error.

The disciples were amazed because they understood: even this excellent young man was not yet ready to enter the Kingdom of God. "Who then can be saved?... With men this is impossible..." Peter tries, though not directly, to argue with the Teacher: "And what about us? We have fulfilled what You are talking about: we have left everything and followed You." Peter still hopes in himself, and a trial awaits him that will crush his self-confidence (Mark 14:66-72). As if hinting at this, Jesus says: "But many who are first will be last, and the last first." These words of the Lord are useful for us to remember too.