An Exposition of Mark 10:17-31

Today in our passage, Jesus is going to break common misconceptions about

salvation. Namely, that God helps those who help themselves, or God saves

good people. God only saves bad people. Period.

Salvation is by God’s power and grace to those who embrace Jesus as their

only hope, not to those feel good about their own achievements. And to be

saved means submitting to Jesus Christ as Lord of all.

Mark 10:17–31—17 As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him

and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to

inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?

No one is good except God alone. 19 “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.’ ” 20 And he said to Him,

“Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” 21 Looking at

him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and

sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in

heaven; and come, follow Me.” 22 But at these words he was saddened, and he

went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.