Exodus 20:12-16

Read Exodus 20:12-16

Helpful Background Information: 

• In our passage today, we see the latter half of the Ten Commandments. The greatest commandment to love God with all your heart is a summary of the first 4 commandments, and the command to love your neighbor as yourself could be said to be a summary of the latter 6 commandments. Loving God will always lead to a love of neighbor. It is these latter 6 commandments that Jesus quotes in his discourse with the Rich Young Ruler. 

• Often, many of us presuppose that the Rich Young Ruler was hypocritical in proving his moral acts before Jesus. That would not seem to be the case, however, for Mark says that “Jesus looked at him and loved him”(Mk. 10:21), and Jesus did not look on hypocrisy with love. This is significant because this is the only time in Mark’s gospel where Jesus is said to love someone. Rather, it's best to conclude that the Rich Young Ruler was earnestly seeking the truth from Jesus, and his presentation of his good deeds was in good faith. 

• However, Jesus commands him to sell all of his possessions and follow him, to which the Rich Young Ruler walks away sorrowfully from Jesus. This interaction helps us to understand how Christians are to view the Ten Commandments. Obedience to the law does not give one eternal life. Rather, renouncing our lives and following Jesus is the only way to eternal life. In following Jesus, we store up treasure in heaven and have more than we will ever need. Obedience to God’s law is the result of following Jesus and being given his righteousness through faith. 

Reflection Questions: 

• In what ways might you, like the Rich Young Ruler, sincerely desire to follow God while still holding tightly to something that competes with full devotion to Jesus?

• What does it look like in your own life for obedience to flow from faith rather than being a way to earn God’s favor?

• Are there ways you may be outwardly keeping God’s commands while inwardly resisting Jesus’ call to surrender?