JESUS film 1979 (Source: IMDB)
At first glance, this young man was a complete and ideal package. He was young, wealthy and eager to live a good, moral life. By society’s standards, he was successful; by religious standards, he was quite outstanding, having been careful to keep the law from his youth (Mark 10:20). However, what was missing in this perfect life was the security of eternal life.
While the rich young ruler may be commended for taking the initiative to approach Jesus, the encounter exposed his lack of understanding. He had probably thought his wealth, position and religious diligence could secure his place in heaven. He approached Jesus sincerely, asking two key questions, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?...What else do I lack?”
When Jesus told him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, the young man faltered and went away, crestfallen. His great wealth became a stumbling block to eternal life.
The answer lies not in what we do or what we have, but whom we follow. Our best human efforts cannot give us eternal life. Isaiah warns us “…all our righteous acts are like filthy rags…” (Isaiah 64:6). Only Jesus can make us good enough (for eternal life) through His sacrificial death for us on the cross.
Often, the very things we take pride in—our status, our accomplishments, our reputation—can get in the way of our discipleship journey and commitment to God. Jesus’ conversation with the young ruler laid bare these hindrances and the young ruler’s subtle pride. Though he was “good” in many ways, he could not surrender what ultimately controlled his heart.
What we hold on to tightly reveals the true condition of our hearts. Pastor David Wong puts it well: “The greatest hindrance in discipleship is not what we lack, but what we have. God’s call is not to give up for nothing, but to surrender for something far greater — eternal life, and a life fully lived in Christ.” That which occupies our heart will eventually become our master.
This story is a wake-up call to live a life that is fully surrendered to God. Our strivings and achievements are never the means to a happy and successful life; it is Jesus Himself who calls, “Come, follow Me” (v.21) that gives us a meaningful and purposeful life.
Jesus issues a call to those who want to follow Him, “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
May we re-examine and re-prioritise our lives this season, so that we do not allow the “good life” to rob us of what truly matters.
Grace and Peace,
Lam Kok Hiang
Leadership Mentor
圣经马可福音10:17-22以及马太福音19:16-22里记载了关于一名年轻财主的故事；适时提醒我们，我们可能会过分看重人生里某些东西，至终反倒错过真正重要的。
故事里的年轻财主给人们的第一印象堪称完美：年轻富有，又向往正直的人生。按社会标准，他已经是成功人士；论宗教礼俗，也相当杰出，因他自幼遵守摩西律法(马可福音10:20)。仿佛这完美人生里仅仅缺失了一样，就是进入天国的确据。
这青年佼佼者以谦逊姿态来到耶稣跟前固然令人称道，不期言谈间却曝露了他认知上的偏差。他或许以为凭着自己的财势、地位和宗教热忱足以在天国保有一席之地。他真诚地向耶稣询问两件事：“良善的老师，我当作甚么，才可以承受永生？”，又问“还缺少甚么呢？”
当耶稣吩咐他变卖所有的，分给穷人，年轻人听见就变了脸色，忧愁地离开了。他的庞大财富竟成了永生的绊脚石。
也许答案不在于人做了什么或拥有什么，而在于我们跟从谁。圣经说：“我们众人都像不洁净的人，我们所有的义，都像污秽的衣服”(以赛亚书64:6a)，以赛亚先知已阐明极尽人之能事，(相较于 神的义)尚且不足。唯有藉着耶稣，祂在十字架上成就的义，能叫人配得永生。
很多时候，我们引以为傲的东西—我们的地位、成就、名声—反倒拦阻我们行走天路以及委身于 神。耶稣与青年财主谈话间揭露了后者心照不宣的自满，那些可能拦阻他的东西。年轻人拥有许多美好之处无法割舍，反倒成了他的桎梏。
与此相仿，人若执着于什么，这执着反映人心的真实情况。黄大卫牧师(Pastor David Wong)说得好：“门徒之路上最大的阻碍不在于人缺少什么，而是他有些什么。 神的呼召并非叫人白白舍去，而是叫我们付出所有，要换取那有极大价值的—就是永生，以及在基督里丰盛的生命。” 我们任由占据心中的，最终会成为我们的主宰。
这故事督促我们趁早活出完全委身于 神的生活。人的奋斗和成就从来都不是通往幸福成功生活的途径；唯有藉着耶稣基督的呼召：“你要来跟从我”(马可福音10:21b)，赋予我们意义非凡的人生。
耶稣仍在寻找拯救失丧的人跟从祂。圣经说：“人就是赚得全世界，却赔上自己的生命，有甚么好处呢？”(马可福音8:36，新译本)
愿我们及时重新审视并安排我们生活的优先次序，以免生活的种种“美好”反倒剥夺了我们真正重要的东西。
愿您经历属 神的恩典平安，
蓝国贤
会务导师
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