Slices
Prepare
How would you feel if Jesus asked you to give away something you treasure?
Bible passage
The rich and the kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, ‘Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?’
17 ‘Why do you ask me about what is good?’ Jesus replied. ‘There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.’
18 ‘Which ones?’ he enquired.
Jesus replied, ‘“You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honour your father and mother,” and “love your neighbour as yourself.”’
20 ‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said. ‘What do I still lack?’
21 Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, ‘Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.’
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’
26 Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’
27 Peter answered him, ‘We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?’
28 Jesus said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[c] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Explore
A man asked Jesus what he must do to get eternal life – as if he could earn it (v 16). Jesus said keeping God’s commandments was essential (v 17). The man asked which specific ones. What do you notice about the commandments Jesus refers to (vs 18,19; see Deuteronomy 5:1–21)? Despite his youth (v 20), the man says he has done that, but feels he is still missing something.
Jesus challenged the young man (v 21). To inherit eternal life, he must sell all his possessions and follow Jesus. How did the young man react (v 22)? Wealth was seen at that time as a sign of God’s blessing. Maybe he assumed that because he was wealthy he would automatically receive eternal life. Look at verse 30. How does Jesus turn this idea upside down?
Jesus emphasised his point to the disciples with the extraordinary picture of a camel being unable to go through the eye of a needle (vs 23,24). It clearly is possible for a wealthy person to inherit eternal life (v 26). Peter asked how the disciples would be rewarded for giving up everything to follow Jesus (v 27). Jesus described their reward (v 28) and the reward that all followers of Jesus will receive for living sacrificially (v 29).
Respond
How is Jesus challenging you to live sacrificially for him? Ask him for strength to do it.
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 65,66; John 1
Pray for Scripture Union
Pray for a new worker to join Rachel and the youth and children’s volunteers of Mission Partner Ignite in Alnwick. Pray that as they start planning to host the Life Exhibition in January, schools will sign up and they will have enough volunteers to run each day.
A child has started following Jesus. Help them keep growing.
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