Bible Studies

WHO DO YOU LOVE?

by Luella Campbell
07/29/15
Not For Sale
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WHO DO YOU LOVE?

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, honour your father and mother.’

‘Teacher,’ he declared, ‘all these things 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: 17-22).

We know this story so well, don’t we? And we judge the rich man for throwing away an opportunity to have eternal life.

Around Jesus were twelve men who had given up everything to follow Him. When He called them, they walked away from the old lives and started a new life with Him. I’m sure there was no doubt about the sincerity of this young man. Whatever he understood by the term, “eternal life”, he wanted it. Don’t we all? No one wants to go to the grave not knowing where he is going.

There are many theories and beliefs about the afterlife depending on the religion a person subscribes to – oblivion for the atheist, nirvana, purgatory, all the sensual pleasure you want, and so one. This man wanted the security of knowing that he possessed eternal life so that he could get on with enjoying his life of wealth and ease. Perhaps he imagined that one noble action would provide him with that security.

His so-called “clean” life obviously didn’t give him that assurance. There was still uncertainty and a restlessness in his soul. In spite of assuring Jesus that he had kept the commandments Jesus quoted, something was missing.

Did Jesus use the commandments to stir up guilt in this young man’s conscience? He didn’t question his honesty. “How can you say you have kept the commandments? Don’t you understand that your motives are just as important as your behaviour? You can’t possibly be perfect by obeying the rules. What about the sin in your heart?” He said none of these things because they were not the real issue. What was the real issue?

The real issue was “Who or what do you love?” Jesus did not even mention the greatest commandment, contained in the Shema – the creed a devout Jew would recite several times a day because that was the crux of the matter.

Hear O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Deut. 6:4-5).

How could He probe the young man’s inner being? His wealth! What about his money? What he did with his money would be a mirror of his heart.

No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other or you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matt. 6: 24).

Jesus used a literary device called a chiasm which was used for emphasis. His main point was sandwiched between two statements leading up to the central statement. It would look like this:

A. No one can serve two masters.

     B. Either you will hate the one and serve the other or

     B1.You will be devoted to the one and despise the other.

A1.You cannot serve both God and money

Points A and A1 are saying the same thing. Points B and B1 are the central and most important statement.

Jesus put His finger on the one thing, the most important thing he lacked – love for God. What he did with his money was the clue. “Get rid of it!” Jesus told him. “It is the one thing that stands between you and me.” In a bold statement Jesus told him, “Follow me, and I will take you to the Father.”

The young man walked away and that response to Jesus’ invitation said it all. What about you? What comes between you and loving God with all your heart, soul and strength?

Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

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