Do You Measure Up?

The Life of Jesus Series

How Jesus interacted with others.

Mark 10:17-31

(Use the link below to read the verses.)

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A17-31&version=NIV;NLT

 

We all try to measure up to the expectations of somebody or something or even ourselves.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For instance, I’ve always looked up to my older brother. For one thing, he’s 6 feet 6 inches tall. He also has a PhD in chemistry. In addition, he has an amazing vocabulary and a tremendous capacity for retention. I don’t measure up to any of these.

 

The rich young ruler was focused on the goal of measuring up. On the outside, he appeared to be a sincere seeker. He ran up to Jesus and knelt down before him. He confessed that he had kept the laws since he was a boy. He knew how to look good; how to have the appearance of righteousness. But he also knew that he wasn’t righteous. Then, Jesus broke his heart.

 

²¹ 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.” ²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.       NIV

 

What about the disciples? Were they any better than the rich young ruler?

 

Jesus said, ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” ²⁶ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”… ²⁸ Then Peter spoke up, “We have left everything to follow you!”             NIV

 

Ah yes. Leave it to Peter to say what all the rest of the disciples were thinking. “Hey what about us? We’re better than that young guy you just turned away Jesus! We gave up everything to follow you.”

 

The disciples felt entitled. The rich young ruler felt entitled. And if we’re honest with ourselves, we feel entitled. In this context, feeling entitled is an attempt to earn eternal life; to measure up to God’s perfection. But we can’t!

 

¹⁸ “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone… ²⁷ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”      NIV

 

We can’t measure up to the goodness of God. We can’t reach that goal of being righteous on our own. We can’t inherit eternal life by outward obedience.

 

Thankfully, through God’s grace, He meets us where we’re at and loves us enough to tell us the truth. Then, it’s up to us to follow Him and accept the gift that only He can give.