Mark 10:17-22, The Rich Young Man Part I

[All three synoptic gospels include this story.]

¹⁷ And as he 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?” [The man is likely from a different social and economic class than Jesus and his disciples. While he treats Jesus with upmost respect, he also does not hesitate to get an answer to his question.] ¹⁸ And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. [Why do you think Jesus says this?] ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” [Jesus leaves out the commandment to not covet.] ²⁰ And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” [Apparently, he does not believe one inherits eternal life by keeping the law. He has much more spiritual insight than a typical scribe. But does he know he is addressing the Messiah?] ²¹ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him [why?], and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” [Elsewhere Jesus tells his disciples to pick up their cross and follow him. Is that what Jesus is trying to get this man to do?] ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. [Rather than giving up his treasure/wealth, he gave up Jesus! Why do you think Jesus let the man he “loved” walk away?]