The Saddest Verse in the Bible

 

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?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 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.’” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, 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.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Mark 10:17-22 ESV).

 

Our reading today contains one of the saddest verses in all of Scripture. The story began so hopeful. A fine young man, wealthy and well educated, came to Jesus, bowed before him, and asked a very important question: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Admittedly, it was not asked exactly correct. The young man wanted to inherit eternal life. Perhaps this was because all of his wealth and position was inherited and he knew nothing else. However, the question was not the young man’s problem.

 

Most people came to Jesus for some benefit, such as healing or food for themselves or for a loved one. But this man was interested in spiritual matters. The story ended sadly, though, with the rich young man leaving “sorrowful” by Jesus' response. He didn’t hear what he wanted to hear from Jesus at all. It ought to cause us to wonder what was the real problem. There were three problems.

 

First, he loved his wealth more than he loved God. Possessing wealth is not wrong, but letting wealth stand in the way of surrender to God brings spiritual disaster. Second, the young man misunderstood God's way of salvation. He believed he was good, claiming he had always kept the commandments. And he wanted Jesus to tell him one more good work he might do that would guarantee him a place in paradise. Instead, when Jesus suggested that he give up what was closest to his heart, the young man showed that he did not see himself as a sinner in need of God's forgiveness. Third, he walked away from Jesus. Like so many others over the years, he refused God's offer of salvation by free grace alone. How terribly sad! Don’t copy this young man’s action!