The First Shall Be Last (Mark 10:17–31)

I. Rich Young Ruler.

17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” 18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ” 20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” 21 Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” 22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

A. Jesus challenged the man to exchange the blessings of this life for those of the life to come.

The instruction to sell all, give to the poor, and follow Jesus exposed the man’s priorities. Jesus explicitly answered the man’s question about attaining eternal life by calling him to leave his earthly attachments behind and follow.

This is not a universal reply to every situation, as others who are said to be part of the Kingdom were not asked to sell all. Jesus tested whether the man’s possessions on earth were of more value to him than what the “Good Teacher” valued and taught.

B. With all of his fine qualities, the young man was very superficial in his views of spiritual things.

He certainly had a shallow view of salvation, for he thought that he could do something to earn or merit eternal life. This was a common belief in that day among the Jews, and it is very common today. Most unsaved people think that God will one day add up their good works and their bad works; and if their good works exceed their bad works, they will get into heaven.

Behind this good-works approach to salvation is a superficial view of sin, man, the Bible, Jesus Christ, and salvation. Sin is rebellion against the holy God. It is not simply an action; it is an inward attitude that exalts man and defies God. Did this young man actually think that he could do a few religious works and settle his account with the holy God?

C. The young man had a superficial view of Jesus Christ.

He called Him “Good Teacher ”, but we get the impression that he was trying to flatter the Lord; for the Jewish rabbis did not allow the word good to be applied to them. Only God was good, and the word must be reserved for Him alone.

Jesus was not denying that He was God; rather, He was affirming it. He just wanted to be sure that the young man really knew what he was saying and that he was willing to accept the responsibilities involved.

Jesus offered this man the gift of eternal life, but he turned it down. The man walked out of the sunshine and into a storm! He wanted to get salvation on his terms, and he was disappointed.

II. Difficulty of Riches.

23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter 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 the kingdom of God.” 26 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

A. Money in that day was considered a blessing of God.

The disciples were shocked at the Lord’s declaration about wealth, because most Jews thought that the possession of great wealth was the evidence of God’s special blessing. Many people today still cling to this error, in spite of the message of Job, the example of Christ and the Apostles, and the clear teaching of the New Testament.

In the case of this young man, his wealth robbed him of God’s greatest blessing, eternal life. Today, wealth continues to make rich people poor and the first last.

B. Jesus compared entering the kingdom of God to a camel going through the eye of a needle.

This verse has been discussed at length. Many attempts have been made to soften its teaching. Some have said that there is a gate in Jerusalem named “the eye of the needle” and that perhaps Jesus meant this gate. Other interpretations suggest that the word in Greek is not “camel” (kamelos) but “rope” (kamilos) because the words are very similar.

Jesus, however, often used hyperbole to make his point. This is a good example of such overstatement. But more important is Jesus’ teaching. If we try to soften the harshness of this verse, are we guilty of trying to hold on to the riches we have? Are we like the young man who went away sad because he had great wealth?

C. Money is a marvelous servant but a terrible master.

If you possess money, be grateful and use it for God’s glory; but if money possesses you, beware! It is good to have the things that money can buy, provided you don’t lose the things that money cannot buy.

The deceitfulness of riches had so choked the soil of this young man’s heart that he was unable to receive the good seed of the Word and be saved (Matt. 13:22). What a bitter harvest he would reap one day!

III. Eternal Reward

28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

A. It’s natural for us to wonder if our sacrifices have been noticed.

Peter, the spokesman of the group and most likely the narrative voice behind this Gospel, reminded Jesus of just how much he and the others had given up to follow him.

If Peter wanted affirmation that the disciples’ sacrifices had been noticed, Jesus gave him that reassurance. There is no material possession that has been left behind that will not be repaid in this life or in the life to come.

B. Jesus promised “persecutions.”

He had already told His disciples what both the Jews and Gentiles would do to Him in Jerusalem, and now He informed them that they would have their share of persecution. God balances blessings with battles, developing mature sons and daughters.

To the general public, the rich ruler stood first and the poor disciples stood last. But God saw things from the perspective of eternity—and the first became last while the last became first! Those who are first in their own eyes will be last in God’s eyes, but those who are last in their own eyes will be rewarded as first! What an encouragement for true disciples!