What Is Your Goal? by Brother Curtis Hansen

         The gospels that were written in the Bible had moments of Jesus' life. There are moments which overlap one another in different accounts. The scripture we will read this morning is found in other books if you read and study this week. The purpose for writing was different aside from telling the reader the ministry and story of Jesus. 

        This morning we will be going to the book of Mark chapter 10. We will begin reading at verse 17. The book of Mark was written by John Mark and is considered the earliest gospel by scholars. Where the book of Matthew was written with the distinction to a Jewish audience, Mark was written more for the non Jewish or gentile audience.

        17 And when 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?

        18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

        19 Thou knowest the commandments. Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

        20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed form my youth.

        21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

        22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved for he had great possessions.

        This portion of scripture can be read as a unique situation for different people. Keep in mind, what affects one person may not affect someone else. People are affected in different ways by different scripture. 

        Let's begin to examine the scripture. Verse 17- what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? This is a dominant question posed in 2025 by those who believe. Jesus replied to the young man in verse 18, calling out how the young man said Jesus was good. Man cannot determine what is good lined up by scripture. The bible is not God but can lead you to God. The rules are not God.

        In verse 19, Jesus asks the young man what the commandments were in writing. Jesus doesn't lead with grace or in love at the beginning of this exchange. He's looking for obedience. Jesus then replies about knowing the commandments. He examines the man's self worth compared against the commandments. This goes back to Jesus' central question, Why call me good?

        Jesus listed the moral laws of Moses which are used today to separate what is good and bad. Many peoples personal belief system is distilled down to a simple checklist.

        You hang out with Jesus long enough in your walk, he is going to tell you something that will upset you. He will say it out of love. Jesus is point ing the man to the direction of repentance. You have a problem before you get into heaven. You can have the public and outward display of following the law. The law is a barometer many use to judge what we consider good and bad. We automatically jump to the conclusion someone must be saved if they display the traits of the commands Jesus was recounting in verse 19. The truth is that person may not be saved. We are often tunnel visioned into an either/or mentality. A binary choice to judge another as either good or evil based off what we have heard from others or what we see when a lot of times we completely misjudge the person.

        "All of these I observed from my youth," is how the young man replies. He's pretty confident in himself. Assurance is a nice feeling to have but dangerous to linger upon. You should strive for the kingdom first against opportunity on earth. We have dome everything to earn our salvation, but without Jesus, it still falls short.

        One thing you lack... verse 21. Giving on earth is gaining in heaven. Take up your cross to follow Jesus. The young man in this scripture had material wealth but he was spiritually poor. The Lord loved him and told him correction. Jesus does that still today. He lays it out for us to either accept or turn and walk away.

        This story is also written in the book of Matthew 19:16-23 and Luke 18:18-23 if you want to read two others accounts of this encounter.

        You stack yourself up against the commandments. God is waiting on your willingness. Perfect is what gets you into heaven. Almost or close or even nearly do not cut it. We are comparing ourself to the new testament. Stop measuring yourself to others and other denominations. If you are in name only but aren't committing the time for prayer, studying, or fasting, it will show to others. Let's read verse 23 of our scripture.

        23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

        Paul wrote in his letters to the early churches things to pursue and to avoid. Jesus spoke of similar things during his ministry on earth.

        24 And the disciples were astonished at his words, But Jesus answered again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!

        25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

        It is impossible to trust in things of this world, be they riches, theologies, or beliefs that aren't ultimately kingdom minded.

        26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?

        27 And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

        It isn't just difficult or hard it's impossible to make it into heaven if you are measuring up to merely the commandments, or expectations others have of you rather than lining up what Jesus says to do. With him all things are possible.

        28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee,

        29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel's.

        30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

        31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

        Jesus answered Peter's statement like he had the rich young rulers. Peter didn't drop his life as a fisherman for Jesus but for himself. There was still a quarrel with pride. Don't say what you do, you do for the kingdom sake. You gaining wealth, land, possessions, creating a large family on earth is not kingdom minded. It isn't being blessed without measure. It's a trap. If eternal life is not the reason why, you're asking the wrong question.