What Must I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?
In Mark 10:17–22, we encounter the story of a man who comes to Jesus with a question that has troubled the hearts of people across centuries, continents, and cultures: "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17, ESV). It's a question that touches on the core of human existence. What happens after death? What lies beyond this life, and how can we be sure that we are on the right path? This rich young man approaches Jesus earnestly, seeking a clear answer to a profound and perennial question.
The Eternal Question
This young man represents all of us in a way. He is successful, respected, and devout, yet he feels something is missing. There’s a lingering sense of incompleteness, an awareness that he hasn’t yet secured what matters most — eternal life. His question reveals a common misconception: that eternal life is something that can be earned. He sees it as a reward for good behavior, something to be achieved by checking off all the right boxes.
This question — “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” — is one that every human heart asks, in one form or another. Ecclesiastes 3:11 says, “He has put eternity into man’s heart” (ESV). There’s a deep longing for something beyond the confines of this world. Even C.S. Lewis remarked that if we find ourselves yearning for something Earth cannot supply, it is a strong indicator that Heaven must be our true home.
The Path of Works
The rich young man isn’t alone in thinking that eternal life can be attained through human effort. Across many world religions, the emphasis is on what people must do to reach salvation, enlightenment, or a higher state of existence. For instance:
- Islam emphasizes submission to Allah’s will and adherence to the Five Pillars of Islam.
- Hinduism teaches liberation through right living and spiritual practice.
- Buddhism focuses on the Noble Eightfold Path to achieve enlightenment.
- Taoism encourages harmony with the universe through simplicity and humility.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with these practices; many of them promote virtuous living. However, they are not good news. They represent good rules, but good rules are fundamentally different from the good news of the Gospel. The young man had spent his life following the rules, yet he came to Jesus with a sense of unease, knowing that something was still missing.
The Illusion of Goodness
When the young man addresses Jesus as “Good Teacher,” Jesus responds with an interesting question: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18, ESV). This response can seem puzzling at first, but Jesus is asking the man to think deeply about his understanding of goodness. The young man likely had too weak a definition of what it means to be good. Jesus challenges him to recognize that if goodness is defined by God’s standard, then no one is truly good except God.
This is where the young man begins to falter. He tells Jesus that he has kept the commandments since his youth. He has lived a morally upright life by human standards, but Jesus, knowing the young man’s heart, identifies a crucial flaw: his wealth has a grip on his soul.
A Heart Issue, Not a Wealth Issue
“Jesus, looking at him, loved him” (Mark 10:21, ESV). This is a profound moment. Jesus doesn’t respond with anger or condemnation. He loves this man, and because of that love, He challenges him. “You lack one thing,” Jesus says. “Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mark 10:21, ESV).
At this moment, Jesus is not advocating for salvation by works. He is not telling the young man that selling his possessions will earn him a place in heaven. Rather, Jesus is exposing the young man’s idol. The issue is not the wealth itself but the hold it has on him. The man’s riches have become his source of identity, security, and worth. Jesus sees this and lovingly points it out, offering him an opportunity to find true freedom by letting go.
Sadly, the man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22, ESV). His heart was so bound to his wealth that he couldn’t let it go, even for the promise of eternal life.
The Road to Salvation
The young man’s story brings two important lessons to light:
- The Question of Eternal Life: Are we, like the young man, trying to earn our way to God’s love and acceptance? No matter how good we are, no matter how well we follow the rules, there will always be a gap between our goodness and God’s perfection. That gap is where our anxiety lives. It’s the reason we constantly ask, “What else must I do?” How can we know for sure that we are saved?
But here’s the good news: Jesus didn’t come to abolish the law; He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17, ESV). He came to bridge the gap between God’s perfection and our imperfection. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, ESV). The call of Christ is not a call to works but to trust.
- A Gospel Diagnostic: This story also serves as a diagnostic for us. The young man went away sad because he couldn’t let go of his wealth. Things — whether material or immaterial — have a way of getting hold of us. What is it that holds your heart? Is it money, pride, reputation, or something else? Jesus, in His love for you, may ask you to let go of that thing — not because He needs you to, but because you need to let go in order to be free.
What Must You Let Go?
Jesus wants the best for you. He looks at you and loves you, just as He loved the rich young man. If there is something you need to let go of — something that stands between you and the abundant life Jesus offers — you can trust that letting go is for your benefit. Jesus doesn’t need you to give up your idols so that He can love you; He already loves you completely. But when we cling to things that don’t give life, we miss out on the fullness of the life He offers.
As you reflect on the story of the rich young man, ask yourself: Is there anything that would cause you to walk away from Jesus if He asked you to let go of it? If so, trust that He is asking not to take something from you, but to set you free.
Much grace and peace to you,
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