Three Seekers Mark 10:13-27

Everyone has lost something at one time or another. There is even a website now at http://www.lostandfound.com that acts as a global lost and found box. Users can report items missing and users can report items found. It is a good example of how technology can help people connect in a useful way. This is a gateway site for all of the physical things that can be retrieved and returned to their rightful owners. According to their statistics, about twice as many objects have been reported lost as have been reported found in the U.S. So, the site’s users are losing things at twice the rate they are finding them.

What if the thing that is lost is you?

-Salvation is a work of God that is impossible apart from Him!

I. The Child Who Seeks vv. 13-16

This week, we are going to look at a pair of stories that illustrate the nature of salvation to us in a pretty dramatic way

We begin with a scene in Judea, where the crowds are bringing children to Jesus

They are seeking a blessing from Jesus, just a simple touch!

This bothers the disciples, for a few reasons:

First, they view the children as relatively unimportant. They are “less than” the adults in terms of the scope of their problems and needs

Second, they view the children as a hindrance to the “real ministry”. These children bring nothing to the table. All that they can do is receive from Jesus, not give back to Him

Jesus has to rebuke the disciples, because they do not understand at all!

It turns out that this posture of invisibility and poverty is critical to entering the Kingdom

Jesus does not accept us on the basis of who we are or what we can bring to Him

Our salvation is a gift from God and all that we can do is receive it from Him

If we are going to enter the Kingdom, we must seek it like a child!

Sally-Lloyd Jones, the author of the popular Jesus Storybook Bible for Children, tells the following story about visiting the Museum of Modern Art in New York City:

A few years ago, I overheard someone commenting on a piece of [modern] non-representational art. I think it was a Rothko [a 20th century American abstract painter]. "My child could to that!" someone said. I take that as a compliment.

“My child could do that.” But really, isn't that the point? Artists like Rothko were specifically drawn to children's art. Picasso once said, “It took me four years to paint like Raphael, but a lifetime to paint like a child.”

The power of a child's art is defined by what they can't do--by their lack. They know they can't do it. And as a result, their art is not about showing off skill or expertise. It's coming from somewhere else. It's all heart ... A child is physically not able to master [pencil or paints]. They struggle to depict things--and every line has heart ... The power of the art of a child comes not from their ability or their strength. It comes from their weakness, their not being able, their vulnerability.

II. The Man Who Seeks vv. 17-22

This gets immediately contrasted with a man who comes seeking Jesus.

In other accounts, we find out that he is a rich young ruler

He is a somebody, completely unlike the children

Think about this guy:

He has money and authority

He asks good questions of Jesus

His life must be marked by some kind of morality, because he affirms his righteousness to Jesus

Interestingly, he receives a different reception from Jesus

There is a two-fold invitation:

Give away all that you have

Follow me

The position and possessions of the man are not a help to enter the Kingdom; they are a hindrance

He is going to have to get rid of everything that he “brings to the table” if he wants to be received by Jesus

He is going to have to become like one of those children!

I think we need to remember that this condition for following Christ has not changed in the least! The parameters are still the same.

III. The God Who Seeks vv. 23-31

As the man walks away, Jesus makes an observation: It is hard for the wealthy to enter the Kingdom!

Why is this? Is the possession of wealth the issue?

I don’t think so. I think the greater issue is that the possession of wealth leads towards self-sufficiency and away from dependence on God.

However, there is good news:

It may feel impossible for a rich man, or a healthy man, or a powerful man to receive what only God will give

But with God, all things are possible!

The God who sent His Son to seek and to save the lost is able to do a powerful thing:

He can convict us of sin

He can open our eyes to our spiritual poverty

He can expose rich men as poor children

This has never been about you finding God, but it is instead about the fact that God found you!

1000 Illustrations for Preaching & Teaching Hoping to Find Him

James A. Pike died in 1969. His death was dramatic and tragic. During his turbulent lifetime this controversial person turned from the practice of law to the Christian ministry, from the Roman Catholic Church to Protestantism, from bishop to a church dropout, from alcoholism and chain-smoking to abstention.

Ironically, death came to this brilliant man while he was researching a new book on the historical Jesus. Wishing to rummage through old bookstalls in Jerusalem and to walk again where Jesus walked, Dr. and Mrs. Pike had gone to the Holy Land in search of information and inspiration. While driving in the desert on a hot August afternoon, they became lost. Following grueling experiences, Mrs. Pike finally secured help. It was too late. Her fifty-six-year-old husband was dead.

A writer for Time reported on the irony of the fact that the Right Reverend James A. Pike, once again on the brink of something new, “Should perish in the wilderness of the Judean desert, looking for Jesus.” A friend, reacting to the sad story, commented, “Yes, and to think he could have found Him in California!”