Faith is the Currency of the Kingdom

 

“Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God” (verse 18)

 It’s the first response Jesus asks of the man from Mark 10:17-22 that we call the “rich young ruler”. Mark doesn’t give us much else about this man. It’s clear he is rich and curious the way a college student might be. He is eager to learn the things of God. At least that’s usually the way I read this section.

But the young man’s question to Jesus “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” sounds self-serving to me.

He essentially wants something that money and position can’t buy--eternal life? It’s easy to see this ruler as interested in the welfare of those he is meant to manage. Most people at his age want relationships, money, status and stuff. He already has it. He also believes the best way to get what he wants is through a life of service. He doesn’t serve to elevate those around him. He does it because he believes it benefits his own condition. He’s more transactional we realize.

The rich young ruler isn’t necessarily a nasty character, but we elevate him in our minds because of his pious behavior. He’s set to inherit a kingdom and rule over a people. We aren’t sure how large but this is someone who has been groomed for it. Try to put yourself in his position. You stand to inherent wealth and power. You will have to know how to lead people because they are looking to you. You are a leader who needs wisdom.

 Are you going to ask a great teacher how you can live forever? Here is how he phrases it: “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

Now it’s possible that he heard Jesus talking about eternal life in one of his sermons. John 3:16 for instance, he who believes will have eternal life. But to me he sees service as a means to an end. Which is why in the next verse Jesus makes the statement “You know the commandments: ‘Do not steal, ‘Do not bear false witness, ‘Do not defraud, ‘Honor your father and your mother.’

Jesus needed to connect the commandments to the rich young ruler’s title “Good Teacher” as a way of saying no one is good, it’s why the commandments exist. Human beings are flawed and sinful and destined for judgement. We can’t do anything to save ourselves. However, God Who is good, made a way for us to live surrounded in sin but not defined by it.

I saw an episode of a TV drama the other day. A mother lay sick and dying in her bed while her sons stood at her bedside before death took her. She reminded one of them that he his heart is good and he must always do what’s right. It’s a nice thought, we all want to think our kids are inherently good or true. But it’s nonsense.

We are only good through Christ. It’s not something we gain or achieve. We aren’t born with it or given it through natural inheritance. We can’t trade for it or buy it with any amount of money. The only way to eternal life is through Jesus. The best part is it’s free, but it does come at a price. You have to surrender the notion that you can achieve eternal life.

Nothing is wrong with personal achievement. Nothing is wrong with keeping the commandments or serving the poor. Those like the rich young ruler are raised at an early age to value the things of God. But if we don’t learn the purpose of service and discipline we make them the currency for exchange. They don’t exist as currency in the kingdom of God, faith does.

In response to Jesus’ mention of the commandments he says “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” Jesus tests him in the next verse and says “Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven: and come take up the cross, and follow Me. But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Immediately after Jesus asks his disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom. The ruler thought his adherence to the commandments provided him access to more and greater. He associated his sacrifice of earthly pleasures with membership to exclusive benefits. 

What do you get the man who has everything? Eternal life. It’s the one thing you can’t buy because Jesus already paid for it. Our faith makes it real.