Humility or Pride: Mark 10:19-22
Following the way of Jesus is harder than it looks. Jesus came to the earth, embraced human nature, and taught among us so He could ultimately give it all up and die for someone else’s sake. He set a high bar. It’s a daunting example to follow.
Take a look at this young man that comes before Jesus. He appears interested in all the right things. He understands God is working through Jesus. He wants to find eternal life. Clearly, some kind of interaction with God is desired. The man even ran to Jesus to meet Him.
Jesus answers the man’s query by turning him to the Ten Commandments. Here is where things go off the rails for the young man. Instead of looking into the Law and being humbled, he finds reason to be proud. In the place where he could have seen the revelation of his sinful nature, the young man finds justification for his own greatness.
No wonder Jesus replied to his original query as He did! Nobody is good except God alone. The young man didn’t get it. He missed the lesson. He believes the law illustrates his goodness.
It is hard to know where fault resides in the young man. The young man could be arrogant because it is his nature. He could be arrogant because of his youth. He could be arrogant because of prior education. This last example requires more to be said about it.
Throughout their history, the reception of the Law among the Hebrew people has been a source of trouble. The Law should reveal our nature to ourselves. The Law should be what drives us into being God’s servant – even His slave, for the words are the same in the Greek. The Law should be what drove the Hebrew people into the nations, sharing the Law so all people could come to an understanding about their nature. Instead, though, the Law has been used to consider the Hebrew people untouchable or chosen. The reception of the Law has been used as justification for teaching that the Hebrew people are automatically God’s favorites.
I believe it is out of this training that the young man replies. When Jesus puts the Ten Commandments before the young man, instead of responding in humility by recognizing places where he could repent and change, he sees his heritage and respond in pride. He considers himself good because his heritage taught him he has kept the Law since youth.
The young man missed the point, so Jesus talks to him bluntly. He tells the young man to sell what he has, give it to the poor, and follow Jesus. Jesus is trying to show the young man the problem resides in his attitude, not his heritage. He lacks a servant mindset. He lacks a willingness to do God’s will. He lacks the desire to see his own failings and turn to God’s grace instead. Following the way of Jesus is harder than it looks.
