Mark wrote when Jesus, “he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-three of his book, Mark shared how Jesus told His disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” where we read:
And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples,
How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
The verse reads, “And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, ...” Mark began with the words, “and Jesus looked round about” which means “and Jesus who is the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation looked all around Himself”, “and said” or “and uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto his disciples” which means “to His students, pupils and attendants”. Mark shared how Jesus looked all around Himself and proclaimed the following statement to His “disciples”.
The verse continues, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Mark added the words, “How hardly” which means “with great difficulty” “shall they that have riches” or “will the people who hold, own and possess large amounts of money and wealth” “enter into the kingdom of God” which means “make entrance and come into God's dominion, rule and reign”. Mark shared how Jesus said it is very difficult for people who have lots of wealth to enter into God's kingdom.
When we think through Mark's words in this verse, we see how Jesus cut through the outward “securities” this man possessed. Because he had great riches, the man left “sorrowful”, and Jesus touched upon the one barrier for this man to enter into God's Kingdom. “Riches” themselves are not evil or bad as many people were “rich” in the Bible (Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, Solomon, etc.), however, “riches” are not to be more important than a relationship with God the Father through His Son Jesus. Those who are wise will never allow “riches” to prevent them from a relationship with God, and they shall understand that every “earthly valuable” will be left behind when they leave this world through death.
Next time Mark shares how Jesus told His disciples, “children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
“Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the
marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the
Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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