Alfred speaks: "The Rich Young Man."

Alfred is our very cheerful, zealous and fired up brother. He loves children and is always inspiring others with his soft heart towards the word of God.

The Rich Young Man

Mark10:17-22
MK 10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

MK 10:18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. 19 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.' "

MK 10:20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

MK 10:21 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."

MK 10:22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.’

In this passage, we read about a man who did all the rights things and Jesus pointed out the sin in his heart that he didn’t know was there. Perhaps we can learn from his experience.

Jesus was quoted 6 out of the Ten Commandments. They are:
1) Do not commit adultery.
2) Do not murder.
3) Do not steal.
4) Do not bear false witness — don’t lie.
5) Do not defraud.
6) Honor your father and your mother.
I was brought up by my great dad & mum. They have taught me well and they have inculcated the right value in me. I have never steal… never cheat (actually cheated once, but my dad found out and he gave me a good scolding & caning…)… I honor my dad and mum. I never disobey my dad & mum before. (The only time that I disobey is when I make the decision to become Christian). I am a good son and I listen to my parents.

So when Jesus quoted the Ten Commandments, I will probably give the same answer as the rich young man, “All these I have kept since I was a boy.”

When Jesus saw the rich young man, he saw that one major sin that stopped him to inherit eternal life. It is his love for his wealth…

I may have never violated any of the Ten Commandments. However, I do know that there are many other sins that I have fallen into which are not stated in the Ten Commandments.

Galatians5:19-21
GAL 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20 idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21 and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.
MK 10:21 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."


Jesus did 3 things here. He looked at the young man. He loved him and then he spoke to him. Jesus knows our heart. He understands all our struggles. He knows our strengths and weaknesses. Jesus cares about us and he spoke the truth in love to the young man of how to inherit eternal life.

There were two things that the young man was not able to follow. He was not able to give up his wealth and he didn’t want to take up the cross and follow Jesus.
What are the things that we are not willing to give up for God? What are stopping us to take up the cross and follow Jesus?

Conclusion:
We may be good people but being good people doesn’t mean that we will inherit eternal life. In order to inherit life, 1) We must follow all the commandments in the bible, 2) Give up the things that stop us to be close to God & 3) Carry the cross and follow Jesus.