Impossible With Man but Not with God

“Sell everything you have.” The words from the one he addressed as “good teacher” hit him hard, a blow to his heartfelt desire to possess yet one more thing – eternal life. Jesus said that he’d have to give everything up, everything that gave his life significance, meaning, importance, and status, to have eternal life. And he knew that he couldn’t bring himself to do it. For him on his own, it was impossible. He had “great wealth,” but he still left sad and dejected because he refused to let go of these things to have “treasure in heaven.” Eternal life proved out of reach as he turned his back on Jesus and went home.

This dramatic exchange in the gospel of Mark has it all – desperation, high stakes, love, shock value, humor, and amazement.  Let’s learn more about Jesus’ challenge to the rich young man in Mark 10:17–31 with these questions and answers from the NIV Quest Study Bible.

Did Jesus say salvation comes by obeying the commandments?

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?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

Mark 10:17-19

No. Jesus’ response focused on obedience to God’s law because this provided a familiar starting point for all who lived under God’s old covenant. This young man was badly mistaken, however, if he assumed eternal life could be gained by his superior ethical performance, for none of us are good enough to earn salvation by our own good works (Gal. 3:23–29).

Could we lose our eternal reward by lacking just one thing?

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 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.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Mark 10:20-22

Though we all fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), God’s grace covers our spiritual deficit. However, some never apply God’s grace to their spiritual need. Jesus knew this man had allowed worldly wealth to take precedence over God. Unless we give God first place in our life, we are really giving him no place.

Should Christians sell their possessions and give to the poor?

This young man was overly attached to his possessions, so Jesus challenged him to sacrifice in the one crucial area that kept him from following Christ. Yet there is great value in living a simple and contented life and at times we do need to sell or share our belongings in order to help others.

How could a camel fit through the eye of a needle?

Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 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 someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

Mark 10:23-25

Jesus’ analogy painted an amusing picture of something impossible or absurd by human standards. The disciples probably saw material wealth as a certain sign of God’s favor—but Jesus recognized how the love of money creates temptations many cannot resist. No sinner, whether rich or poor, “deserves” to enter the kingdom of heaven. But God’s grace can overcome seemingly impossible obstacles. What is impossible with man is possible with God.

What did Jesus mean by a camel going through the eye of a needle?

Some have dealt with this verse in ingenious ways: They suggest that the word camel should have been translated rope or that the eye of the needle was a nickname for a low, after-hours gate in the wall of Jerusalem. It’s probably better, however, to see this as a hyperbole, a figure of speech that exaggerates for emphasis. Jesus’ point was that some things on earth can prevent us from entering the kingdom of God. His impossible example was meant to raise a note of alarm: Wealth can be dangerous to our spiritual lives.

Does Jesus want us to abandon our families?

The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”

“Truly I tell you,” 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—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Mark 10:26-31

As he did in 9:43–47, Jesus uses overstatement to make his point. The love Jesus asks of his followers cannot compare to other earthly relationships (see Matt. 10:37, 39; Luke 14:26–33). It takes first priority. Yet, putting Christ at the center of our lives does not compromise our other relationships; it enhances them.

What guarantee comes with our commitment to follow Christ?

We aren’t guaranteed prosperity, nor do we gain a hefty spiritual stock portfolio with guaranteed returns when we serve God. Realistically, there will be problems and perhaps a high price to pay. But we are promised a priceless relationship, better than the love of a family, if we choose to follow him.

Get Answers to Your Questions with the NIV Quest Study Bible

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