WEBVTT 00:00:00.680 --> 00:00:03.720 We hope that you enjoy this teaching from Christ Church. 00:00:04.339 --> 00:00:13.919 This material is copyrighted and no unauthorized duplication, redistribution, or any other use of any part is permitted without prior consent from Christ Church. 00:00:14.320 --> 00:00:21.260 Please consider donating to this work in the San Francisco Bay Area online at ChristChurchEastBay.org. 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:30.740 Today's reading is from the Gospel of Mark, chapter 10, verses 13 through 31. 00:00:31.640 --> 00:00:33.980 A reading from the Gospel according to Mark. 00:00:35.800 --> 00:00:40.939 People were bringing little children to Jesus for him to place his hands on them, but the disciples rebuked them. 00:00:41.680 --> 00:00:44.340 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. He said to them, 00:00:45.000 --> 00:00:49.579 Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 00:00:49.579 --> 00:00:54.939 Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. 00:00:55.739 --> 00:00:59.039 And he took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them, and blessed them. 00:00:59.780 --> 00:01:03.479 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 00:01:03.899 --> 00:01:07.500 Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:01:08.299 --> 00:01:09.980 Why do you call me good? Jesus answered. 00:01:10.500 --> 00:01:12.439 No one is good except God alone. 00:01:13.039 --> 00:01:13.780 You know the commandments. 00:01:14.379 --> 00:01:15.099 You shall not murder. 00:01:15.500 --> 00:01:16.620 You shall not commit adultery. 00:01:17.140 --> 00:01:17.980 You shall not steal. 00:01:17.980 --> 00:01:19.980 You shall not give false testimony. 00:01:20.540 --> 00:01:21.680 You shall not defraud. 00:01:22.200 --> 00:01:23.280 Honor your father and mother. 00:01:24.079 --> 00:01:26.600 Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. 00:01:27.500 --> 00:01:29.079 Jesus looked at him and loved him. 00:01:29.700 --> 00:01:31.120 One thing you lack, he said. 00:01:31.480 --> 00:01:35.760 Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:01:37.159 --> 00:01:38.580 Then come, follow me. 00:01:39.859 --> 00:01:41.580 At this the man's face fell. 00:01:42.320 --> 00:01:44.340 He went away sad because he had great wealth. 00:01:44.340 --> 00:01:49.600 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom 00:01:49.600 --> 00:01:50.140 of God. 00:01:50.840 --> 00:01:52.800 The disciples were amazed at his words. 00:01:53.439 --> 00:01:57.280 But Jesus said again, children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God. 00:01:57.760 --> 00:02:01.680 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich 00:02:01.680 --> 00:02:02.980 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:02:02.980 --> 00:02:07.840 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, who then can be saved? 00:02:08.659 --> 00:02:13.060 Jesus looked at them and said, with man this is impossible, but not with God. 00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:14.960 All things are possible with God. 00:02:15.719 --> 00:02:16.840 Then Peter spoke up. 00:02:17.200 --> 00:02:18.819 We have left everything to follow you. 00:02:18.819 --> 00:02:25.099 Truly I tell you, Jesus replied, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother 00:02:25.099 --> 00:02:30.340 or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times 00:02:30.340 --> 00:02:36.199 as much in this present age, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and fields, along 00:02:36.199 --> 00:02:39.439 with persecutions, and in the age to come, eternal life. 00:02:39.919 --> 00:02:42.759 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. 00:02:43.680 --> 00:02:45.099 This is the gospel of the Lord. 00:02:45.799 --> 00:02:47.359 Thanks be to the Lord Christ. 00:02:47.360 --> 00:02:48.960 Good morning, Christ Church. 00:02:49.120 --> 00:02:56.960 We continue today in the gospel of Mark, and we are exploring this story of a guy we call 00:02:56.960 --> 00:02:58.820 the rich young ruler. 00:02:59.860 --> 00:03:03.280 And we know in this text we just read that he's rich. 00:03:03.360 --> 00:03:10.420 He's got significant wealth, real estate, trust fund, great possessions. 00:03:11.560 --> 00:03:13.820 We know in the gospel of Matthew that he's young. 00:03:14.000 --> 00:03:15.380 He's got his health. 00:03:15.380 --> 00:03:16.300 He's got energy. 00:03:16.300 --> 00:03:20.260 He's got idealism and optimism, hope for the future. 00:03:21.120 --> 00:03:23.620 And we know that in the gospel of Luke, he's a ruler. 00:03:24.000 --> 00:03:25.900 He's got some social standing. 00:03:26.160 --> 00:03:27.120 He has authority. 00:03:27.320 --> 00:03:29.880 He's some type of influencer. 00:03:31.820 --> 00:03:36.700 And he seems to have it all, and yet he realizes that there's something missing. 00:03:37.640 --> 00:03:41.960 Hence his question, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:03:41.960 --> 00:03:47.560 Today we would call this young man a spiritual seeker, an inquirer. 00:03:47.560 --> 00:03:55.719 He's exploring matters of eternal life and metaphysical reality and permanent things. 00:03:55.719 --> 00:04:02.259 And in this meaning crisis that we've been experiencing in the early 21st century, 00:04:02.259 --> 00:04:11.020 we send many young men and women like this who run up to and kneel down before YouTube gurus and experts, 00:04:11.819 --> 00:04:16.439 seeking some truth, seeking to fill this gap that they sense in their lives. 00:04:16.439 --> 00:04:26.620 And Jesus' response to this rich young ruler is actually, it's quite complex, and it's super challenging. 00:04:27.800 --> 00:04:39.860 Of all the people that ever came to Jesus, you would think that this type of guy would be the ideal attractive candidate that Jesus would want to see coming to him. 00:04:39.860 --> 00:04:44.139 You would think that Jesus just received him with open arms and welcomed him, 00:04:44.259 --> 00:04:48.340 and he would have entered into the kingdom of God without any difficulty at all. 00:04:48.439 --> 00:04:54.120 I mean, this is the most desirable recruit for Jesus' band of disciples that you could imagine. 00:04:55.759 --> 00:04:59.020 And what Jesus says to this potential recruit is amazing. 00:04:59.019 --> 00:05:10.259 He increases his challenge to such a degree that this guy's face is fallen and he walks away sad. 00:05:11.399 --> 00:05:16.759 This text says that Jesus loved this man, that he really wanted him to follow, 00:05:17.000 --> 00:05:21.979 that Jesus really must have been sad when this man turned away as well. 00:05:23.500 --> 00:05:27.379 And Jesus' disciples find this moment really hard to understand. 00:05:27.379 --> 00:05:28.560 They're utterly confounded. 00:05:28.560 --> 00:05:33.660 They say in verse 26, they're amazed and they look at each other and they say, 00:05:33.839 --> 00:05:35.740 who then can be saved? 00:05:37.040 --> 00:05:43.620 If this ideal recruit who has it all materially and morally can't be saved, then who can? 00:05:44.579 --> 00:05:46.759 Jesus, this is too much. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:49.740 You can't lose a recruit like this. 00:05:49.800 --> 00:05:52.579 We need you to dial down your challenge a little bit. 00:05:52.680 --> 00:05:56.340 We need you to take a class on diplomacy and negotiation, right? 00:05:56.339 --> 00:06:00.139 Jesus, have you ever read the book, How to Win Friends and Influence People? 00:06:00.219 --> 00:06:01.599 Maybe you should read that. 00:06:01.679 --> 00:06:06.759 Maybe you should run your message through our marketing department and our PR firm to make 00:06:06.759 --> 00:06:11.719 it an easier, more palatable, more strategic message if we're going to grow our numbers. 00:06:11.720 --> 00:06:14.160 Why, Jesus? 00:06:14.160 --> 00:06:20.080 Why, Jesus, are you driving people away who seem like they could really contribute to this community 00:06:20.080 --> 00:06:22.240 of disciples and to our mission? 00:06:23.840 --> 00:06:26.240 Well, what does Jesus say to this man? 00:06:27.660 --> 00:06:32.260 And what causes him to turn away from Jesus grieving and sorrowful? 00:06:32.259 --> 00:06:37.019 You can turn, if you like, in your pew Bibles to this passage. 00:06:37.219 --> 00:06:38.279 It's in Mark chapter 10. 00:06:38.399 --> 00:06:46.099 I can't remember the page, but what I hope you'll see there is Jesus is talking about the 00:06:46.099 --> 00:06:53.039 goodness we lack, the impossible entry, and the enormous cost. 00:06:53.860 --> 00:06:55.839 That's what I want to explore together this morning. 00:06:55.839 --> 00:07:02.679 The goodness you lack, the impossible entry, and the enormous cost. 00:07:03.879 --> 00:07:06.039 Let's start with the goodness you lack. 00:07:06.819 --> 00:07:09.139 The top of the story in verse 17, it says, 00:07:09.319 --> 00:07:13.359 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 00:07:13.859 --> 00:07:17.439 Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:07:17.500 --> 00:07:20.099 And this is an excellent young man. 00:07:21.279 --> 00:07:25.079 He's been living a good, noble, and moral life. 00:07:25.839 --> 00:07:27.239 And yet he's conscious. 00:07:27.419 --> 00:07:29.779 He's aware of the fact that he needs something more. 00:07:29.899 --> 00:07:31.619 He needs something further. 00:07:31.779 --> 00:07:34.719 He says, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:07:34.759 --> 00:07:37.839 And this is a sign that God is at work in him, right? 00:07:37.879 --> 00:07:40.159 Because he knows that he's not self-contained. 00:07:40.279 --> 00:07:44.659 He knows he doesn't have all the answers, and he goes looking for them. 00:07:44.859 --> 00:07:49.759 And perhaps he's been in the crowd following Jesus, listening to Jesus, 00:07:50.519 --> 00:07:54.079 and he's heard Jesus talking about these things we hear in our story, 00:07:54.079 --> 00:08:00.519 inheriting eternal life, entering the kingdom of God, being saved, having treasure in heaven. 00:08:00.639 --> 00:08:04.759 These, for Jesus, are all different ways of talking about the same reality. 00:08:05.839 --> 00:08:08.459 And Jesus has been talking about this from the beginning of the gospel. 00:08:08.579 --> 00:08:13.219 Mark chapter 1, verse 15 says that Jesus went about proclaiming the gospel of God, 00:08:13.360 --> 00:08:15.319 saying, the kingdom of God is here. 00:08:15.579 --> 00:08:17.819 Repent and believe in the good news. 00:08:17.819 --> 00:08:23.500 And what Jesus has done is he's taken this great theme of the Bible, the kingdom of God, 00:08:23.560 --> 00:08:30.040 and he's telling people that the most important thing in the world is that we should enter into that kingdom. 00:08:32.019 --> 00:08:35.240 In the Sermon on the Mount, he says, seek first the kingdom of God. 00:08:36.279 --> 00:08:41.159 And when he says that, he says, nothing takes priority over this kingdom. 00:08:41.340 --> 00:08:43.939 Everything else is secondary to this kingdom. 00:08:43.940 --> 00:08:48.280 And you would think that with such a message and such a messenger, 00:08:48.940 --> 00:08:53.520 that all the people listening to Jesus would have believed and would have gone storming into the kingdom. 00:08:53.640 --> 00:08:57.800 They would have just been rushing like a mob into the kingdom of God. 00:08:58.380 --> 00:09:00.560 But that's not what happened. 00:09:01.620 --> 00:09:04.960 And this young man is a case study for why that is. 00:09:06.120 --> 00:09:09.160 This rich young ruler, he's better than most people around him, 00:09:09.159 --> 00:09:15.980 but he begins to feel a sense of dissatisfaction because he hears Jesus and he hears his gospel. 00:09:17.219 --> 00:09:23.019 And he realizes, I hear Jesus talking about eternal life, but I don't think I have it. 00:09:25.059 --> 00:09:27.179 And I don't know how to get it. 00:09:29.059 --> 00:09:32.659 And so in his eagerness and in his desire and his zeal, 00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:36.480 he runs to Jesus and he kneels down in respect for Jesus. 00:09:36.620 --> 00:09:37.620 He admires Jesus. 00:09:37.620 --> 00:09:40.560 He knows he's no ordinary teacher. 00:09:40.700 --> 00:09:43.200 He knows this is a unique and exceptional person. 00:09:43.379 --> 00:09:46.899 And he asks the right question about eternal life. 00:09:47.860 --> 00:09:48.940 And Jesus loves him. 00:09:49.779 --> 00:09:51.240 Jesus likes his question. 00:09:51.360 --> 00:09:52.259 He likes his attitude. 00:09:52.759 --> 00:09:54.899 He can see that God's at work in his life. 00:09:55.679 --> 00:09:57.980 And what do we anticipate happens next? 00:09:59.259 --> 00:10:06.039 Don't we assume that this young man will just go straight into the kingdom of God without any difficulty at all? 00:10:06.039 --> 00:10:08.480 But that's not the story. 00:10:08.620 --> 00:10:11.339 And many, many people have this story. 00:10:12.399 --> 00:10:16.120 This guy comes up to the gate of entry to the kingdom of God, 00:10:16.519 --> 00:10:19.000 but he turned his back on Jesus 00:10:19.000 --> 00:10:25.339 because he was dismayed and disheartened at the demands of Jesus. 00:10:25.340 --> 00:10:31.639 He went away grieving and sorrowful because of the great challenge of Jesus. 00:10:31.840 --> 00:10:32.580 And why is that? 00:10:32.639 --> 00:10:36.440 Because Jesus' answer to his question is so surprising. 00:10:36.639 --> 00:10:39.879 It's so different than what all of us think and expect. 00:10:40.600 --> 00:10:46.879 Many, many people have misconceptions about the nature and the character of the kingdom of God 00:10:46.879 --> 00:10:49.080 and what it takes to enter into it. 00:10:50.700 --> 00:10:57.419 And many, many people today think that the one thing that we need to enter into the kingdom of God 00:10:57.419 --> 00:11:00.360 and have a right relationship with God is that we need to be good. 00:11:02.759 --> 00:11:04.679 We need goodness. 00:11:05.220 --> 00:11:09.000 We need to be caring about other people and not harming them. 00:11:09.059 --> 00:11:12.379 We need to be treating people fairly and not cheating them. 00:11:12.379 --> 00:11:16.799 We need to be preserving and protecting the liberty of other people and not oppressing them. 00:11:16.860 --> 00:11:17.779 We need to be good. 00:11:19.480 --> 00:11:23.439 And Jesus shatters this young man's vision of goodness 00:11:23.439 --> 00:11:28.159 and shows him that actually he lacks it. 00:11:29.000 --> 00:11:29.120 Right? 00:11:29.200 --> 00:11:30.159 This is verse 18. 00:11:30.299 --> 00:11:32.200 It says that Jesus says, 00:11:32.320 --> 00:11:33.480 Why do you call me good? 00:11:33.899 --> 00:11:36.480 No one is good except God alone. 00:11:38.019 --> 00:11:41.320 You come to me thinking that I'm a mere human being 00:11:41.320 --> 00:11:43.180 and you call me good. 00:11:43.180 --> 00:11:47.520 But what is finite and fallible human goodness 00:11:47.520 --> 00:11:50.680 in light of the infinitely pure goodness of God? 00:11:52.100 --> 00:11:55.940 Isn't it like holding up a dim candle to the sun at noonday? 00:11:57.280 --> 00:12:04.340 And Jesus, I think, is here hinting at this man's lack of proper understanding of himself vis-a-vis God. 00:12:05.700 --> 00:12:06.240 Right? 00:12:06.280 --> 00:12:10.620 He has an insufficient anthropology and so he has a distorted theology. 00:12:11.320 --> 00:12:16.660 God alone is the author of goodness and God alone can give goodness. 00:12:17.900 --> 00:12:22.340 So if the question is about eternal life, if it's about living with God forever, 00:12:22.700 --> 00:12:28.940 how can I live for one minute, for one second in God's home and in God's presence? 00:12:29.060 --> 00:12:36.920 How can I enter into the kingdom of God when everything I touch gets dirty and defiled? 00:12:36.919 --> 00:12:38.179 How can I enter into the kingdom of God? 00:12:38.179 --> 00:12:38.919 How can I enter into the kingdom of God? 00:12:38.919 --> 00:12:39.279 How can I enter into the kingdom of God? 00:12:39.279 --> 00:12:41.219 The disciples' question is the right question. 00:12:41.339 --> 00:12:43.079 Who then can be saved? 00:12:43.179 --> 00:12:47.059 Who can be delivered given this lack of human goodness? 00:12:48.779 --> 00:12:54.899 And you see, Jesus then shifts the focus in the conversation to the second half of the Ten Commandments 00:12:54.899 --> 00:12:59.579 and he holds up the mirror of God's moral law in front of this man. 00:12:59.580 --> 00:13:01.240 And he says to him in verse 19, 00:13:02.200 --> 00:13:03.000 You know the commandments. 00:13:03.180 --> 00:13:03.879 You shall not murder. 00:13:04.000 --> 00:13:05.020 You shall not commit adultery. 00:13:05.139 --> 00:13:05.900 You shall not steal. 00:13:06.020 --> 00:13:07.300 You shall not give false testimony. 00:13:07.480 --> 00:13:08.340 You shall not defraud. 00:13:08.480 --> 00:13:10.139 Honor your father and your mother. 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:15.840 Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. 00:13:17.280 --> 00:13:18.940 Now does Jesus look at him and say, 00:13:19.360 --> 00:13:20.020 You're lying. 00:13:20.980 --> 00:13:21.759 You're a liar. 00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:26.939 No, it says that he looked at him and he loved him. 00:13:28.279 --> 00:13:29.179 He loved him. 00:13:30.319 --> 00:13:33.120 I can see that you've had a very good upbringing. 00:13:33.319 --> 00:13:36.980 I can see that you have solid parents and teachers and mentors. 00:13:37.179 --> 00:13:39.059 I can see that you have a sensitive conscience. 00:13:40.120 --> 00:13:42.100 That you want to keep God's laws. 00:13:42.299 --> 00:13:48.639 That you've, by God's grace, you've not degraded your standards or entangled yourself morally. 00:13:48.639 --> 00:13:50.600 That you have a sincere character. 00:13:51.759 --> 00:13:52.879 And I love you. 00:13:53.919 --> 00:13:55.120 I want you to belong. 00:13:55.299 --> 00:13:56.580 I want you to be included. 00:13:56.720 --> 00:13:57.679 I want you to follow. 00:13:59.000 --> 00:14:03.439 But then he looks at this man and he says to this man who seems to lack nothing. 00:14:03.559 --> 00:14:05.620 He says, There's one thing you lack. 00:14:06.379 --> 00:14:07.519 There's one thing you lack. 00:14:09.139 --> 00:14:13.600 And it's this that causes this man in verse 22 for his face to fall. 00:14:13.600 --> 00:14:16.639 Literally the Greek says he was shocked and he was appalled. 00:14:17.939 --> 00:14:20.100 And he walks away grieving and sorrowful. 00:14:20.100 --> 00:14:21.879 He's deeply troubled and distressed. 00:14:22.000 --> 00:14:22.220 Why? 00:14:22.340 --> 00:14:28.920 Because, first of all, Jesus confirms to him that, yes, you currently do not possess eternal life. 00:14:29.940 --> 00:14:31.720 And you're outside the kingdom of God. 00:14:31.779 --> 00:14:32.620 You're not saved. 00:14:33.620 --> 00:14:36.080 And when it comes to treasure in heaven, you're bankrupt. 00:14:36.080 --> 00:14:46.520 And number two, he reveals that even your human goodness, your law keeping, your morality, you're still lacking something. 00:14:48.060 --> 00:14:53.600 Human morality, human goodness is not good enough to make yourself righteous and to please God. 00:14:53.600 --> 00:14:59.840 For no one is truly, purely, perfectly, infinitely good except for God himself. 00:15:01.540 --> 00:15:04.200 And so you lack the kind of goodness that you need. 00:15:04.279 --> 00:15:13.759 That perfect goodness which comes from only God and from the outside in rather than your little imperfect goodness that comes up from the inside out. 00:15:13.759 --> 00:15:24.019 You see, how do you know that you've actually had a real encounter with the biblical Jesus and with the living Christ? 00:15:24.019 --> 00:15:32.379 This story is a great story to know whether or not you've had that encounter because has Jesus questioned you? 00:15:36.000 --> 00:15:42.819 Has he held your assumptions up to the light of biblical revelation and its scrutiny? 00:15:43.019 --> 00:15:47.019 Has he held the mirror of God's moral law up before you? 00:15:47.019 --> 00:15:51.679 Has he held you and caused you in some way to sense that you're lacking? 00:15:54.519 --> 00:16:00.159 Has he made you feel like this man walks away feeling helpless and hopeless about himself? 00:16:01.819 --> 00:16:11.199 Has Jesus cut you to your heart and revealed to you that without the gracious intervention of God in your life, 00:16:11.279 --> 00:16:15.439 you are eternally lost and doomed and condemned? 00:16:17.019 --> 00:16:23.399 You see, if you haven't experienced this from Jesus, you may have never actually encountered him. 00:16:26.179 --> 00:16:30.139 So this is where Jesus begins with this man, the goodness that you lack. 00:16:31.399 --> 00:16:36.460 But then he goes on and he talks not just about the goodness that you lack, but he talks about the impossible entry. 00:16:37.559 --> 00:16:38.779 The impossible entry. 00:16:38.779 --> 00:16:48.419 See, this man came to Jesus expecting him to give a particular answer to the eternal life question other than the one that he got. 00:16:48.539 --> 00:16:51.779 He wants Jesus to confirm his preconceived ideas. 00:16:52.439 --> 00:16:56.120 And what he's hoping Jesus will say is, yes, you are good. 00:16:57.439 --> 00:17:02.939 And what you need is just to add a little something to the goodness that you've already got. 00:17:02.940 --> 00:17:06.820 You just need a little extra something to get into the kingdom of God. 00:17:08.220 --> 00:17:13.779 He's hoping that Jesus will tell him something that he can add on to his life with comparative ease. 00:17:15.320 --> 00:17:15.480 Right? 00:17:15.779 --> 00:17:20.220 Part of this passage, Jesus is talking about that it's very hard to enter. 00:17:20.360 --> 00:17:23.500 It's easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle. 00:17:23.820 --> 00:17:27.940 Jesus is comparing and contrasting that which is hard and that which is easy. 00:17:27.940 --> 00:17:40.600 And this man has fallen into the fatal fallacy that the kingdom of God is about doing another good work that I haven't yet thought of that is easily within my competence. 00:17:43.420 --> 00:17:47.980 And Jesus, again, smashes and demolishes this man's ideas. 00:17:47.980 --> 00:17:53.160 In verse 21, Jesus looked at him and he loved him and he said, 00:17:53.420 --> 00:17:59.839 One thing you lack, go sell everything you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:18:00.000 --> 00:18:02.500 Then come, follow me. 00:18:04.099 --> 00:18:08.640 You see, Jesus tells him to do something he knows he's not ready to do. 00:18:09.660 --> 00:18:15.680 So that he can see that entry into the kingdom of God is way beyond his capacity. 00:18:15.680 --> 00:18:21.220 And that with human beings, this is actually impossible. 00:18:23.060 --> 00:18:28.060 Jesus is like a good doctor who gives you the truthful diagnosis about yourself. 00:18:29.620 --> 00:18:29.860 Right? 00:18:29.900 --> 00:18:34.420 He's a good doctor who puts his scalpel right on the problem of your heart. 00:18:35.620 --> 00:18:38.940 And Jesus reads right into the depth and the center of this man. 00:18:39.220 --> 00:18:42.799 Just like he reads right into the depth and the center of every one of us. 00:18:42.799 --> 00:18:47.519 He can read us like an open book because he knows us better than any of us know ourselves. 00:18:48.339 --> 00:18:48.460 Right? 00:18:48.480 --> 00:18:50.579 He can see your human nature. 00:18:50.700 --> 00:18:57.200 He can penetrate the heart of your problem and expose the real trouble, the real need in your life. 00:18:57.240 --> 00:18:58.899 And he can put it right in front of you. 00:18:58.919 --> 00:19:03.299 And when he does that, it's like he cuts and he hurts and he offends. 00:19:03.299 --> 00:19:09.240 And what is the problem with this particular man? 00:19:09.319 --> 00:19:11.059 What is it for you? 00:19:12.579 --> 00:19:17.480 I think the key to unlock this challenge of Jesus is in verses 24 and 25. 00:19:19.559 --> 00:19:20.180 It says, 00:19:20.180 --> 00:19:40.720 If you have your pew Bible open, you'll notice that there's a footnote in verse 24. 00:19:40.720 --> 00:19:49.500 And that's because the vast majority of ancient manuscripts have this little translation which says, 00:19:49.759 --> 00:19:56.380 How hard it is for those who trust in their riches to enter into the kingdom of God. 00:19:57.000 --> 00:19:58.079 And there it is. 00:19:59.380 --> 00:20:03.319 This man's particular trouble was the object of his trust. 00:20:03.319 --> 00:20:09.059 And Jesus saw the thing that he was really trusting, the thing he was really relying on, 00:20:09.119 --> 00:20:12.179 the thing that he had truly put his confidence in. 00:20:13.159 --> 00:20:18.919 There's a whole other sermon to say that having wealth and having riches is not a problem in and of itself. 00:20:19.059 --> 00:20:20.359 We'll talk about that later. 00:20:21.740 --> 00:20:28.259 But you notice that Jesus only asked this man about the second half of the Ten Commandments 00:20:28.259 --> 00:20:33.099 that have to do with all those horizontal social relationships with our neighbors. 00:20:33.099 --> 00:20:37.819 But Jesus deliberately skips over the first half of the Ten Commandments 00:20:37.819 --> 00:20:42.219 that have to do with our vertical spiritual relationship with God. 00:20:43.899 --> 00:20:46.279 And he omits that number one commandment, 00:20:46.359 --> 00:20:49.099 that first law from which all the moral law flows. 00:20:49.799 --> 00:20:50.719 And what is that commandment? 00:20:50.799 --> 00:20:50.959 It's, 00:20:51.319 --> 00:20:54.399 You shall have no other gods before me. 00:20:54.959 --> 00:20:57.599 You shall have no other gods beside me. 00:20:57.599 --> 00:20:59.359 And see, 00:20:59.439 --> 00:21:05.059 Jesus has put his finger on the nerve of this man's real God, 00:21:05.159 --> 00:21:06.119 his first love, 00:21:06.219 --> 00:21:07.659 his true allegiance. 00:21:09.659 --> 00:21:09.919 You see, 00:21:10.059 --> 00:21:10.339 money, 00:21:10.599 --> 00:21:11.319 like many, 00:21:11.480 --> 00:21:11.799 many things, 00:21:11.899 --> 00:21:16.679 money can just become sort of this alternative trinity in our lives, 00:21:16.719 --> 00:21:16.939 right? 00:21:17.079 --> 00:21:18.319 Instead of having the Father, 00:21:18.519 --> 00:21:18.819 Son, 00:21:18.919 --> 00:21:20.659 and Holy Spirit as our Creator, 00:21:20.919 --> 00:21:21.299 Redeemer, 00:21:21.299 --> 00:21:21.419 partner, 00:21:21.859 --> 00:21:22.740 and comforter, 00:21:23.700 --> 00:21:25.680 we can very easily look at money and say, 00:21:25.759 --> 00:21:25.899 well, 00:21:26.079 --> 00:21:28.319 actually this thing is what gives me life. 00:21:29.279 --> 00:21:31.200 And this is the thing that saves me out of trouble. 00:21:31.279 --> 00:21:33.500 And this is the thing that supplies me with strength. 00:21:33.720 --> 00:21:34.740 This is my God. 00:21:36.159 --> 00:21:37.700 And Jesus can see that. 00:21:37.759 --> 00:21:39.139 He can see that his confidence, 00:21:39.299 --> 00:21:39.980 his security, 00:21:40.159 --> 00:21:40.879 his reliance, 00:21:40.980 --> 00:21:41.639 his power, 00:21:42.019 --> 00:21:43.000 is in his money. 00:21:43.079 --> 00:21:47.140 But don't be misled to think that Jesus is only talking about money. 00:21:48.640 --> 00:21:50.519 Because we're all trusting in something. 00:21:51.559 --> 00:21:52.720 Maybe it's your wealth. 00:21:53.400 --> 00:21:55.079 But maybe today it's your beauty. 00:21:56.319 --> 00:21:57.599 Maybe it's your health. 00:21:58.920 --> 00:21:59.700 Here in Berkeley, 00:21:59.900 --> 00:22:01.980 many of us are putting our trust in our intellect. 00:22:03.559 --> 00:22:05.119 Maybe it's your romance, 00:22:05.920 --> 00:22:07.079 or your desire for it, 00:22:07.079 --> 00:22:07.759 your career, 00:22:08.039 --> 00:22:08.660 and your climbing, 00:22:09.559 --> 00:22:11.140 your family and its well-being, 00:22:11.319 --> 00:22:11.940 your achievement, 00:22:11.940 --> 00:22:14.100 your approval in the eyes of others. 00:22:14.220 --> 00:22:16.360 What are you trusting in? 00:22:16.420 --> 00:22:19.220 And what are you living for as if it is God? 00:22:20.860 --> 00:22:23.980 What are you putting before and beside God? 00:22:24.059 --> 00:22:26.700 For that is the thing that constitutes the obstacle 00:22:26.700 --> 00:22:29.900 to your entry into the kingdom of God. 00:22:31.400 --> 00:22:33.799 Has Jesus exposed your trouble? 00:22:33.900 --> 00:22:38.220 And has he convicted you of your essential sin? 00:22:38.220 --> 00:22:42.779 What is it that you value and trust more than God? 00:22:43.980 --> 00:22:45.839 And how are you leaning on yourself 00:22:45.839 --> 00:22:47.759 and your abilities and your resources 00:22:47.759 --> 00:22:49.940 rather than depending on God? 00:22:50.900 --> 00:22:52.100 Because Jesus says, 00:22:52.240 --> 00:22:55.559 it's easier for the largest land mammal in Palestine 00:22:55.559 --> 00:22:58.940 to go through the smallest opening you can imagine 00:22:58.940 --> 00:23:02.259 than it is for you or I 00:23:02.259 --> 00:23:04.259 to enter into the kingdom of God 00:23:04.259 --> 00:23:07.079 trusting in something more than God himself. 00:23:08.960 --> 00:23:11.160 Having another little counterfeit God 00:23:11.160 --> 00:23:14.160 before and beside the true and living God 00:23:14.160 --> 00:23:17.660 as if that little created thing were God 00:23:17.660 --> 00:23:19.440 rather than the creator God himself. 00:23:21.519 --> 00:23:22.640 And see, Jesus' point, 00:23:22.740 --> 00:23:23.740 he's trying to drive home, 00:23:23.859 --> 00:23:24.440 the disciples, 00:23:24.579 --> 00:23:25.019 they hear this, 00:23:25.099 --> 00:23:26.400 their minds are blown. 00:23:27.740 --> 00:23:29.059 And they say in verse 26, 00:23:29.180 --> 00:23:30.539 who then can be saved? 00:23:30.539 --> 00:23:33.180 And Jesus looked at them and he said, 00:23:33.379 --> 00:23:35.059 with human beings this is impossible, 00:23:35.460 --> 00:23:36.779 but not with God. 00:23:36.899 --> 00:23:39.139 All things are possible with God. 00:23:40.839 --> 00:23:45.539 The ablest and the best man or woman in the world 00:23:45.539 --> 00:23:47.980 cannot save himself or herself. 00:23:48.180 --> 00:23:50.299 They cannot enter into the kingdom of God 00:23:50.299 --> 00:23:52.740 without some divine interference, 00:23:52.980 --> 00:23:55.740 without some sort of supernatural intervention 00:23:55.740 --> 00:23:59.220 because with human beings this is impossible. 00:24:00.539 --> 00:24:03.519 Without the work of God in my life, 00:24:03.579 --> 00:24:06.259 without something supernatural happening in me, 00:24:06.339 --> 00:24:09.339 I can never even begin the Christian life. 00:24:09.519 --> 00:24:11.799 And without the supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, 00:24:12.099 --> 00:24:15.240 I cannot possibly live the Christian life. 00:24:16.299 --> 00:24:17.240 For human beings, 00:24:17.339 --> 00:24:20.319 the Christian life and discipleship is impossible. 00:24:22.339 --> 00:24:24.799 Friends, don't you see that the chances of you 00:24:24.799 --> 00:24:26.460 entering into the kingdom of God 00:24:26.460 --> 00:24:28.500 are about as big as the eye of a needle? 00:24:28.500 --> 00:24:28.559 It's impossible. 00:24:30.140 --> 00:24:31.500 It's impossible. 00:24:32.259 --> 00:24:32.819 Impossible. 00:24:33.980 --> 00:24:36.180 And if you don't feel hopeless and helpless 00:24:36.180 --> 00:24:37.279 in front of Jesus, 00:24:37.980 --> 00:24:41.019 you haven't really heard what he's saying to you. 00:24:44.720 --> 00:24:47.140 He's talking about the goodness you lack. 00:24:48.339 --> 00:24:51.259 And he's talking about the impossibility of entry. 00:24:51.259 --> 00:24:53.299 But finally, 00:24:53.500 --> 00:24:55.640 he's talking about the enormous cost. 00:24:56.839 --> 00:24:58.000 The enormous cost. 00:24:59.259 --> 00:25:02.339 Look at how Peter hears this whole conversation. 00:25:02.660 --> 00:25:03.619 You've got to love Peter. 00:25:04.640 --> 00:25:06.160 Speaking for the rest of the 12, 00:25:06.339 --> 00:25:07.779 he speaks up in verse 28, 00:25:07.859 --> 00:25:08.339 and he says, 00:25:09.180 --> 00:25:10.000 Jesus, 00:25:11.599 --> 00:25:13.519 we've left everything for you. 00:25:13.519 --> 00:25:16.200 And, you know, 00:25:16.279 --> 00:25:17.940 if you go back to the beginning of the gospel, 00:25:18.079 --> 00:25:19.420 Mark chapter 1, verse 17, 00:25:19.559 --> 00:25:20.720 Peter, Andrew, James, John, 00:25:20.819 --> 00:25:21.599 Jesus says to them, 00:25:21.680 --> 00:25:22.400 come follow me, 00:25:22.460 --> 00:25:24.259 and I'm going to send you out to fish for people. 00:25:24.379 --> 00:25:25.039 And immediately, 00:25:25.839 --> 00:25:26.480 Peter and Andrew, 00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:27.400 they left their nets, 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:28.339 and James and John, 00:25:28.420 --> 00:25:29.720 they left their father in the boat. 00:25:29.839 --> 00:25:30.920 And we've talked about this, 00:25:31.000 --> 00:25:32.339 that the gospels, 00:25:32.559 --> 00:25:32.740 you know, 00:25:32.799 --> 00:25:34.359 we learn that they come back, 00:25:34.400 --> 00:25:35.639 and they actually use their boats 00:25:35.639 --> 00:25:36.379 and their nets again. 00:25:36.420 --> 00:25:37.039 And they come back, 00:25:37.079 --> 00:25:38.720 and they get their father involved, 00:25:38.720 --> 00:25:39.980 and they talk to their parents again. 00:25:39.980 --> 00:25:43.299 But it's clear to them at that moment 00:25:43.299 --> 00:25:46.140 that their career and their nets, 00:25:46.640 --> 00:25:48.160 which give them meaning and purpose, 00:25:49.240 --> 00:25:51.200 and their father and their mother 00:25:51.200 --> 00:25:51.839 and their family 00:25:51.839 --> 00:25:53.360 that gives them identity and belonging, 00:25:53.500 --> 00:25:56.160 that all these things come second to Jesus. 00:25:57.620 --> 00:25:58.980 That Jesus is their priority, 00:25:59.680 --> 00:26:00.860 that he's more important. 00:26:00.980 --> 00:26:03.000 They know in that moment when he says, 00:26:03.259 --> 00:26:03.819 come follow me, 00:26:03.900 --> 00:26:07.259 that following Jesus means handing over my life. 00:26:07.259 --> 00:26:10.680 All that I am and all that I have, 00:26:11.119 --> 00:26:12.259 so that my body, 00:26:13.359 --> 00:26:14.619 and my time, 00:26:15.599 --> 00:26:17.799 and the work of my hands, 00:26:17.900 --> 00:26:18.599 and my money, 00:26:18.700 --> 00:26:19.940 and all my relationships, 00:26:20.519 --> 00:26:23.799 that all of this is to be put at the disposal of Jesus 00:26:23.799 --> 00:26:25.740 for the purposes of Jesus. 00:26:27.220 --> 00:26:29.599 And without this kind of renunciation, 00:26:30.960 --> 00:26:33.099 this renunciation of the self, 00:26:34.579 --> 00:26:36.039 discipleship is impossible. 00:26:37.259 --> 00:26:40.700 To follow Jesus requires renouncing everything. 00:26:42.119 --> 00:26:44.200 Sometimes in practice, 00:26:44.940 --> 00:26:46.920 but always in principle. 00:26:48.460 --> 00:26:51.660 To follow Jesus means renouncing everything. 00:26:53.299 --> 00:26:56.220 Jesus asks no one else that I'm aware of 00:26:56.220 --> 00:26:57.900 to sell all that they have 00:26:57.900 --> 00:26:59.259 and give it to the poor, 00:26:59.359 --> 00:27:00.180 except for this guy. 00:27:01.779 --> 00:27:04.759 But he does ask every single one of his disciples 00:27:04.759 --> 00:27:06.799 for a radical act of renunciation. 00:27:08.259 --> 00:27:09.839 And this is where we began. 00:27:10.099 --> 00:27:10.940 And Ash Wednesday, 00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:11.799 a few weeks ago, 00:27:11.859 --> 00:27:13.720 we talked about Mark chapter 8, 00:27:14.220 --> 00:27:17.379 where Jesus lays out the cost of discipleship. 00:27:17.539 --> 00:27:19.359 And he says in Mark 8, 34, 00:27:19.359 --> 00:27:20.939 whoever wants to be my disciple, 00:27:20.939 --> 00:27:24.779 must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 00:27:25.219 --> 00:27:27.319 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, 00:27:27.379 --> 00:27:30.679 but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:33.979 For what good is it for someone to gain the whole world 00:27:33.979 --> 00:27:36.639 and yet forfeit their soul? 00:27:36.640 --> 00:27:41.800 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 00:27:43.220 --> 00:27:46.660 I imagine this rich young ruler had been listening to Jesus. 00:27:46.660 --> 00:27:51.140 And he had heard those words, 00:27:51.279 --> 00:27:53.120 if you seek to save your life, 00:27:53.180 --> 00:27:53.759 you're going to lose it. 00:27:53.800 --> 00:27:54.940 But he's thinking to himself, 00:27:55.140 --> 00:27:55.360 gosh, 00:27:56.840 --> 00:27:58.400 my possessions are my life. 00:27:58.400 --> 00:28:01.560 My life is my wealth. 00:28:01.759 --> 00:28:03.540 And if I lose that, 00:28:03.580 --> 00:28:04.380 then I lose myself. 00:28:04.460 --> 00:28:05.800 And I don't want to lose it. 00:28:05.860 --> 00:28:07.380 I'm determined to save it. 00:28:08.620 --> 00:28:10.060 And so for him in this moment, 00:28:10.140 --> 00:28:13.200 the cost of discipleship is just too high. 00:28:13.200 --> 00:28:17.259 And so he turned away from Jesus and he went away sad. 00:28:19.019 --> 00:28:20.559 But Jesus also says, 00:28:20.920 --> 00:28:24.860 if you lose your life for me and for the gospel, 00:28:25.400 --> 00:28:26.440 you'll save it. 00:28:27.500 --> 00:28:29.980 And that's why Jesus is raising his hand 00:28:29.980 --> 00:28:31.440 and speaking up in this moment. 00:28:31.539 --> 00:28:31.700 He says, 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:32.039 Lord, 00:28:32.819 --> 00:28:35.380 for this man it seems like eternal life 00:28:35.380 --> 00:28:37.420 and entry into the kingdom of God and salvation. 00:28:38.059 --> 00:28:40.120 It seems impossible for him. 00:28:40.259 --> 00:28:41.840 Is it impossible for us too? 00:28:41.839 --> 00:28:46.500 Because we've left everything for you. 00:28:48.000 --> 00:28:50.019 Can you give us a little reassurance? 00:28:51.919 --> 00:28:52.879 And Jesus does. 00:28:52.959 --> 00:28:53.299 He says, 00:28:53.439 --> 00:28:54.179 truly I tell you, 00:28:54.199 --> 00:28:54.659 in verse 29, 00:28:54.819 --> 00:28:57.819 no one who has left home or brothers or sisters 00:28:57.819 --> 00:29:00.199 or mother or father or children or fields 00:29:00.199 --> 00:29:02.480 for me and for the gospel will fail 00:29:02.480 --> 00:29:07.639 to receive a hundred times as much 00:29:07.639 --> 00:29:10.119 in this present age 00:29:10.119 --> 00:29:12.219 homes, 00:29:12.779 --> 00:29:13.119 brothers, 00:29:13.679 --> 00:29:14.059 sisters, 00:29:14.379 --> 00:29:14.659 mothers, 00:29:14.959 --> 00:29:15.239 children, 00:29:15.579 --> 00:29:16.139 and fields. 00:29:17.179 --> 00:29:19.439 What a picture of the church. 00:29:20.719 --> 00:29:22.419 Along with persecutions 00:29:22.419 --> 00:29:24.919 and in the age to come, 00:29:25.479 --> 00:29:26.319 eternal life. 00:29:28.619 --> 00:29:30.500 Now is Jesus saying that because, 00:29:30.879 --> 00:29:31.139 Peter, 00:29:31.259 --> 00:29:33.199 because you left everything to follow me, 00:29:33.279 --> 00:29:36.039 now your reward for this good work of yours 00:29:36.039 --> 00:29:38.059 is that you've merited eternal life. 00:29:39.619 --> 00:29:41.279 And that if this rich young ruler 00:29:41.279 --> 00:29:42.659 had sold all that he had 00:29:42.659 --> 00:29:43.619 and given it to the poor, 00:29:43.680 --> 00:29:45.099 he would have earned his entry 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:46.359 into the kingdom of God. 00:29:47.119 --> 00:29:48.480 Is that what Jesus is saying? 00:29:50.879 --> 00:29:51.099 No. 00:29:51.159 --> 00:29:51.259 Well, 00:29:51.319 --> 00:29:51.799 how, 00:29:51.799 --> 00:29:51.980 how, 00:29:51.980 --> 00:29:54.139 how is this thing 00:29:54.139 --> 00:29:56.519 that Jesus is so clear 00:29:56.519 --> 00:29:58.519 is impossible for human beings, 00:29:58.519 --> 00:30:02.400 how is it made possible by God? 00:30:04.400 --> 00:30:06.559 And the only way it's possible 00:30:06.559 --> 00:30:09.819 to enter into the kingdom of God 00:30:09.819 --> 00:30:12.940 is for God to supernaturally 00:30:12.940 --> 00:30:14.460 intervene 00:30:14.460 --> 00:30:16.980 at enormous cost 00:30:16.980 --> 00:30:17.879 to himself. 00:30:18.980 --> 00:30:21.059 That's the only way entry is possible. 00:30:22.660 --> 00:30:25.039 And so when Jesus looks at this rich young ruler 00:30:25.039 --> 00:30:26.460 and he loves him, 00:30:28.019 --> 00:30:28.460 Jesus, 00:30:28.799 --> 00:30:29.740 in his heart, 00:30:30.680 --> 00:30:32.279 must be thinking to himself, 00:30:32.480 --> 00:30:34.240 if only you knew 00:30:34.240 --> 00:30:35.519 who I am. 00:30:36.859 --> 00:30:38.879 If only you knew 00:30:38.879 --> 00:30:39.980 that the person 00:30:39.980 --> 00:30:42.079 who's looking into your eyes 00:30:42.079 --> 00:30:43.079 right now 00:30:43.079 --> 00:30:44.259 and who's talking to you, 00:30:44.319 --> 00:30:45.220 if only you knew 00:30:45.220 --> 00:30:47.659 how rich I actually am. 00:30:50.420 --> 00:30:52.039 John chapter 1, verse 18, 00:30:52.159 --> 00:30:53.659 it says that from all eternity, 00:30:53.660 --> 00:30:54.980 Jesus has been 00:30:54.980 --> 00:30:56.460 in the bosom of the Father. 00:30:57.640 --> 00:30:58.960 He's been at the Father's 00:30:58.960 --> 00:31:00.519 right side. 00:31:00.840 --> 00:31:02.840 He's been in closest relationship 00:31:02.840 --> 00:31:04.660 with this incomprehensible glory 00:31:05.220 --> 00:31:06.080 and wealth 00:31:06.080 --> 00:31:06.900 and love 00:31:06.900 --> 00:31:07.640 and joy 00:31:07.640 --> 00:31:08.720 and power 00:31:08.720 --> 00:31:09.700 of God. 00:31:09.800 --> 00:31:11.420 And Jesus is looking at this man, 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:12.480 loving him, 00:31:12.620 --> 00:31:12.980 and saying, 00:31:13.180 --> 00:31:14.279 if only you knew 00:31:14.279 --> 00:31:16.620 how rich I really am. 00:31:17.100 --> 00:31:18.519 And if only you knew 00:31:18.519 --> 00:31:21.460 that I left all of it for you. 00:31:21.460 --> 00:31:25.200 that I gave it all away 00:31:25.200 --> 00:31:26.799 to come find you. 00:31:27.940 --> 00:31:31.000 And that I sold all that I have 00:31:31.000 --> 00:31:33.180 so that I could give 00:31:33.180 --> 00:31:34.640 all of my riches away 00:31:34.640 --> 00:31:36.779 to poor sinners like you. 00:31:38.420 --> 00:31:40.059 And this is what the Apostle Paul 00:31:40.059 --> 00:31:41.579 is saying in 2 Corinthians 8 00:31:41.579 --> 00:31:42.059 when he says, 00:31:42.180 --> 00:31:42.819 for you know 00:31:42.819 --> 00:31:44.940 the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ 00:31:44.940 --> 00:31:46.660 that though he was rich, 00:31:47.000 --> 00:31:48.220 he became poor 00:31:48.220 --> 00:31:50.600 so that you through his poverty 00:31:50.600 --> 00:31:52.480 might become rich. 00:31:54.100 --> 00:31:54.620 Oh! 00:31:55.440 --> 00:31:58.319 The one looking at you lovingly. 00:32:01.000 --> 00:32:02.839 Do you know who he is? 00:32:04.600 --> 00:32:06.620 He's eternal life embodied. 00:32:08.059 --> 00:32:10.779 He is the goodness of God incarnate. 00:32:10.779 --> 00:32:13.839 He is the kingdom of God 00:32:13.839 --> 00:32:15.019 in the flesh. 00:32:16.339 --> 00:32:17.819 He's salvation. 00:32:18.059 --> 00:32:19.500 He's the treasure of heaven 00:32:19.500 --> 00:32:20.740 in sandals. 00:32:23.500 --> 00:32:25.339 And he's on his way 00:32:25.339 --> 00:32:26.920 into a poverty 00:32:26.920 --> 00:32:28.740 that's deeper than any of us 00:32:28.740 --> 00:32:29.859 could ever fathom 00:32:29.859 --> 00:32:30.899 on his cross. 00:32:31.019 --> 00:32:31.299 Why? 00:32:31.500 --> 00:32:32.420 In order to pay 00:32:32.420 --> 00:32:33.879 the enormous cost 00:32:33.879 --> 00:32:34.539 of entry 00:32:34.539 --> 00:32:36.379 into the kingdom of God 00:32:36.379 --> 00:32:37.759 on your behalf 00:32:37.759 --> 00:32:39.339 and on my behalf. 00:32:39.339 --> 00:32:42.480 And so when he says 00:32:42.480 --> 00:32:43.619 deny yourself 00:32:43.619 --> 00:32:45.259 and follow me 00:32:45.259 --> 00:32:47.899 he's not asking us 00:32:47.899 --> 00:32:48.740 to do anything 00:32:48.740 --> 00:32:51.139 he hasn't already done. 00:32:54.119 --> 00:32:55.279 He's saying to us 00:32:55.279 --> 00:32:55.679 friends 00:32:55.679 --> 00:32:58.039 I love you 00:32:58.039 --> 00:33:00.339 and I want you 00:33:00.339 --> 00:33:01.339 to belong. 00:33:02.699 --> 00:33:04.419 I want you to be included. 00:33:05.459 --> 00:33:06.639 I want you to follow. 00:33:06.640 --> 00:33:09.300 I renounced 00:33:09.300 --> 00:33:10.940 all I had 00:33:10.940 --> 00:33:12.900 to get you. 00:33:14.259 --> 00:33:15.340 Won't you renounce 00:33:15.340 --> 00:33:16.160 all you have 00:33:16.160 --> 00:33:18.259 to get me? 00:33:21.280 --> 00:33:22.840 I'll close with these words 00:33:22.840 --> 00:33:25.780 from Matthew 00:33:25.780 --> 00:33:26.720 the gospel of Matthew 00:33:26.720 --> 00:33:27.680 chapter 13. 00:33:29.140 --> 00:33:30.040 Jesus says 00:33:30.040 --> 00:33:31.120 the kingdom of heaven 00:33:31.120 --> 00:33:32.200 is like treasure 00:33:32.200 --> 00:33:33.620 buried in a field 00:33:33.620 --> 00:33:34.340 that a man 00:33:34.340 --> 00:33:35.720 found and reburied 00:33:35.720 --> 00:33:37.600 and then in his joy 00:33:37.600 --> 00:33:39.799 he goes and sells 00:33:39.799 --> 00:33:40.839 everything he has 00:33:40.839 --> 00:33:42.000 and he buys that field. 00:33:43.579 --> 00:33:43.960 Again 00:33:43.960 --> 00:33:44.839 the kingdom of heaven 00:33:44.839 --> 00:33:45.700 is like a merchant 00:33:45.700 --> 00:33:47.400 in search of fine pearls 00:33:47.400 --> 00:33:49.940 and when he found 00:33:49.940 --> 00:33:50.880 that one 00:33:50.880 --> 00:33:52.019 priceless pearl 00:33:52.019 --> 00:33:53.779 he went 00:33:53.779 --> 00:33:54.279 and sold 00:33:54.279 --> 00:33:55.400 everything he had 00:33:55.400 --> 00:33:57.420 and bought it. 00:33:58.799 --> 00:33:59.779 In the name of the 00:33:59.779 --> 00:34:01.039 Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 00:34:01.920 --> 00:34:02.140 Amen. 00:34:02.140 --> 00:34:02.299 Amen. 00:34:02.299 --> 00:34:02.339 Amen.