Mark 10: 17 – 22

As Jesus was setting out on His journey, a man ran up and knelt before Him and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but God alone.” Jesus replied in this manner because He wanted to find out, in what perspective the man looked up to Him –man or God? All that Jesus required of the questioner was to acknowledge, that Jesus being God was always good. Did not Jesus say in John 10: 11 that He is the Good Shepherd?

This rich man had done all the good works that the law expected and deep down in his heart anticipated Jesus to say ‘good, you have done well from your youth’. Doing all the rituals to please God, which money helps to fulfill is ‘religion’ but Christianity is all about relationship with God and caring for the welfare of others.

Jesus knowing that this man had a strong passion for money and possessions, wanted him to take victory over this ungodly mammon, if he had to inherit eternal life. On hearing this, the writer of the Gospel reports that ‘his countenance fell and he went away sorrowful - for he had great possessions!’ The blessed followers of Jesus Christ are expected to share their wealth with the poor and the needy.

This encounter between the rich man and Jesus Christ ended up in silence…..

Thought for the day: Christianity is not about selfish living but selfless giving.