WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:04.520 So Mark chapter 10, beginning at verse 13. 00:00:05.719 --> 00:00:10.320 People were bringing little children to Jesus to have him touch them, 00:00:11.080 --> 00:00:12.500 but the disciples rebuked them. 00:00:13.580 --> 00:00:16.179 When Jesus saw this, he was indignant. 00:00:16.940 --> 00:00:21.260 He said to them, let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, 00:00:21.260 --> 00:00:24.440 for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 00:00:24.960 --> 00:00:28.960 I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God 00:00:28.960 --> 00:00:32.259 like a little child will never enter it. 00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:37.620 And he took the children in his arms, put his hands on them and blessed them. 00:00:38.520 --> 00:00:45.000 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 00:00:45.600 --> 00:00:48.700 Good teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:00:48.700 --> 00:00:50.859 Why do you call me good? 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:54.340 Jesus answered, no one is good except God alone. 00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:56.159 You know the commandments. 00:00:56.159 --> 00:01:02.439 Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 00:01:02.939 --> 00:01:05.979 do not defraud, honor your father and mother. 00:01:07.099 --> 00:01:09.700 Teacher, he declared, all these I have kept since I was a boy. 00:01:10.859 --> 00:01:12.640 Jesus looked at him and loved him. 00:01:13.500 --> 00:01:17.739 One thing you lack, he said, go, sell everything you have and give to the poor 00:01:17.739 --> 00:01:19.939 and you will have treasure in heaven. 00:01:20.459 --> 00:01:22.379 Then come, follow me. 00:01:22.379 --> 00:01:24.819 At this, the man's face fell. 00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:27.799 He went away sad because he had great wealth. 00:01:28.920 --> 00:01:34.039 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom 00:01:34.039 --> 00:01:34.579 of God. 00:01:35.340 --> 00:01:39.659 The disciples were amazed at his words, but Jesus said again, children, how hard it is 00:01:39.659 --> 00:01:41.239 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:01:41.500 --> 00:01:46.739 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the 00:01:46.739 --> 00:01:47.479 kingdom of God. 00:01:47.480 --> 00:01:53.680 The disciples were even more amazed and said to each other, who then can be saved? 00:01:54.560 --> 00:01:59.079 Jesus looked at them and said, with man, this is impossible, but not with God. 00:01:59.620 --> 00:02:01.400 All things are possible with God. 00:02:02.380 --> 00:02:05.120 Peter said to him, we have left everything to follow you. 00:02:05.120 --> 00:02:07.640 I tell you the truth, Jesus replied. 00:02:08.099 --> 00:02:14.700 No one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for 00:02:14.700 --> 00:02:19.860 me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age, homes, brothers, 00:02:20.060 --> 00:02:26.340 sisters, mothers, children and fields, and with them persecutions and in the age to come 00:02:26.340 --> 00:02:28.000 eternal life. 00:02:28.620 --> 00:02:33.640 But many who are first will be last and the last first. 00:02:33.639 --> 00:02:35.119 Amen. 00:02:36.879 --> 00:02:40.019 Questions are important, aren't they? 00:02:40.139 --> 00:02:42.619 Well, some questions at least are important. 00:02:42.979 --> 00:02:45.659 Let me give you a number as we begin this morning. 00:02:45.739 --> 00:02:48.419 The number is 288. 00:02:48.919 --> 00:02:56.339 That is the number that people doing some data research calculated a curious four to six year 00:02:56.339 --> 00:02:59.399 old girl will ask her mom on a standard day. 00:02:59.400 --> 00:03:03.360 23 questions per hour. 00:03:04.439 --> 00:03:10.379 On average, one question more than Theresa May faces at Prime Minister's questions. 00:03:11.680 --> 00:03:13.960 Moms get asked some really tricky questions as well. 00:03:14.140 --> 00:03:17.580 The data researchers analyze the five toughest. 00:03:17.719 --> 00:03:19.719 Here's a couple real testers. 00:03:19.780 --> 00:03:20.540 I don't know if you've had them. 00:03:20.939 --> 00:03:22.180 Why is water wet? 00:03:23.420 --> 00:03:25.200 What are shadows made of? 00:03:25.620 --> 00:03:26.520 I like that question. 00:03:26.520 --> 00:03:33.200 That research also then began to look into who in our society typically gets asked the 00:03:33.200 --> 00:03:33.820 most questions. 00:03:33.939 --> 00:03:37.080 So for a child, mom comes first, always. 00:03:37.900 --> 00:03:40.320 Primary teachers were not too far behind. 00:03:41.120 --> 00:03:47.620 And then across society as a whole, we tend to ask a lot of questions from nurses and GPs. 00:03:48.900 --> 00:03:51.460 And when you start to think about that, perhaps it's no surprise. 00:03:51.460 --> 00:03:55.540 Here are people who are authorities on their subject. 00:03:56.040 --> 00:03:58.140 Mom, who is an authority on everything. 00:03:58.659 --> 00:04:01.560 And everybody else has a slightly narrower field. 00:04:02.140 --> 00:04:07.460 But these kind of figures, teachers, nurses, doctors, they help us understand our world. 00:04:07.920 --> 00:04:14.460 And they explain realities for us that we might find difficult to comprehend by ourselves. 00:04:14.460 --> 00:04:21.720 Perhaps then, it's no surprise to find that Jesus faced so many questions. 00:04:22.300 --> 00:04:29.460 People understood Jesus was an authority figure, someone who could help them to understand reality. 00:04:30.160 --> 00:04:33.600 And so we come to a couple of really important questions today. 00:04:33.780 --> 00:04:38.740 You know, of all the questions that we ask, some are mundane, some have profound significance 00:04:38.740 --> 00:04:39.639 for our lives. 00:04:40.420 --> 00:04:47.019 And of all the questions that Jesus faced, the ones that we have in verse 17 from the rich 00:04:47.019 --> 00:04:50.620 young man, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:04:51.240 --> 00:04:55.300 And the question of the disciples in verse 26, who then can be saved? 00:04:55.800 --> 00:05:00.420 They become questions of massive significance and importance. 00:05:01.620 --> 00:05:06.180 So we're going to think about three questions today as we look at these texts. 00:05:06.180 --> 00:05:11.560 The first question is this, can anyone be good enough for God? 00:05:12.579 --> 00:05:14.180 It's a really important question. 00:05:15.060 --> 00:05:21.319 For many people today, if you were to talk about goodness in relation to God, you might 00:05:21.319 --> 00:05:26.379 find them saying something like this, well, I know I'm not perfect, but I'm basically a 00:05:26.379 --> 00:05:27.340 good person. 00:05:27.899 --> 00:05:33.800 So if there is a God, I'm pretty sure that he'll accept me in the end. 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:37.100 Perhaps that's your understanding. 00:05:37.259 --> 00:05:40.400 Perhaps you know people who have that kind of understanding. 00:05:41.060 --> 00:05:47.060 We meet a man here, a rich young man, who has a slightly different understanding, it seems. 00:05:47.540 --> 00:05:51.660 It seems like he has been living a good life, but he's still feeling dissatisfied. 00:05:52.100 --> 00:05:58.160 He still is not sure if he's going to receive eternal life in the end. 00:05:58.199 --> 00:05:59.379 And so he comes to Jesus. 00:05:59.840 --> 00:06:01.939 He comes to Jesus with real desire. 00:06:01.939 --> 00:06:03.639 Look with me at verse 17. 00:06:05.060 --> 00:06:08.579 We find as Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him. 00:06:08.899 --> 00:06:11.759 So in that day, adults didn't really run, but he comes and he runs. 00:06:12.819 --> 00:06:14.860 And he shows great respect to Jesus. 00:06:15.019 --> 00:06:18.079 He fell on his knees and he calls him a good teacher. 00:06:18.839 --> 00:06:24.899 And then he asks this crucial question, what must I do to inherit eternal life? 00:06:24.899 --> 00:06:31.319 But at the heart of this man's question, as Jesus begins to probe, is another question. 00:06:31.459 --> 00:06:36.299 How good do I need to be to be good enough for God? 00:06:36.879 --> 00:06:39.959 And we see that as Jesus begins to talk to him. 00:06:40.899 --> 00:06:42.539 Jesus says, you called me a good teacher. 00:06:43.379 --> 00:06:44.779 Why do you call me good? 00:06:44.979 --> 00:06:47.279 Since no one is good except God alone. 00:06:47.939 --> 00:06:48.899 What's he doing here? 00:06:48.899 --> 00:06:58.859 He's going to invite the man to see if his idea of his own personal goodness matches up to God's perfect standard of absolute goodness. 00:06:59.679 --> 00:07:01.239 So he gives him a list of commands. 00:07:01.339 --> 00:07:02.279 You know the commandments. 00:07:02.279 --> 00:07:09.299 Verse 19, he gives him a list there of commands drawn from the Ten Commandments. 00:07:09.300 --> 00:07:16.920 And in verse 20, we discover a man who is confident in his law-keeping ability. 00:07:17.439 --> 00:07:19.819 I've kept these since I was a boy. 00:07:20.000 --> 00:07:24.939 All those commands about loving others, I've kept those since I was a boy. 00:07:26.519 --> 00:07:30.439 So Jesus is going to probe further and challenge further. 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:33.639 But notice why Jesus does it. 00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:34.580 I think it's really important. 00:07:34.579 --> 00:07:39.599 In verse 21, Jesus looked at him and loved him. 00:07:39.699 --> 00:07:41.620 We need to see that about Jesus. 00:07:41.759 --> 00:07:44.419 He challenges because he loves. 00:07:45.419 --> 00:07:50.459 And his challenge effectively is this in verse 21. 00:07:51.120 --> 00:07:56.360 Do you love God more than you love money? 00:07:56.360 --> 00:08:02.939 If you want treasure in heaven, sell everything, give to the poor, and you'll have it. 00:08:02.939 --> 00:08:04.980 Do you love God more than money? 00:08:05.360 --> 00:08:12.339 And connected to that, can you truly love others by using your money? 00:08:12.680 --> 00:08:17.660 Rather than keeping it to yourself, can you show that you really love by giving? 00:08:18.879 --> 00:08:21.659 So the man comes with this deep desire. 00:08:22.339 --> 00:08:24.839 He's challenged by Jesus. 00:08:25.720 --> 00:08:27.339 And he goes away in despair. 00:08:27.540 --> 00:08:29.980 Verse 22, at this, the man's face fell. 00:08:29.980 --> 00:08:34.639 Well, he went away sad because he had great wealth. 00:08:35.840 --> 00:08:38.560 The cost was one he was not willing to pay. 00:08:39.120 --> 00:08:43.600 The standard that Jesus set was too high for him. 00:08:44.440 --> 00:08:45.620 And he went away sad. 00:08:48.200 --> 00:08:52.899 Perhaps we like to compare ourselves with others when we think about goodness. 00:08:52.899 --> 00:09:00.179 I feel like I'm at least as good as that person, or at least I'm not as bad as that person. 00:09:01.059 --> 00:09:04.480 And sometimes we forget that there is an absolute standard. 00:09:04.779 --> 00:09:16.439 We think in relative terms, in comparison, with each other, when all the while God is inviting us to compare with his perfect, absolute standard. 00:09:16.440 --> 00:09:25.640 Every two or three years, it seems like, in Scotland anyway, a really hard higher maths paper is set. 00:09:25.720 --> 00:09:27.620 You read about it in the news. 00:09:28.420 --> 00:09:29.920 That it was far too difficult. 00:09:30.020 --> 00:09:32.980 They were asking questions that pupils hadn't been prepared for. 00:09:33.380 --> 00:09:36.280 And so the examination board then has to respond. 00:09:36.380 --> 00:09:39.180 And they respond by lowering the pass mark. 00:09:39.680 --> 00:09:41.020 So there's no harm in the end. 00:09:41.019 --> 00:09:42.879 Now, here's the question. 00:09:43.039 --> 00:09:49.639 When we read the Bible and we read God's commands and we discover that these are difficult things to do, 00:09:50.019 --> 00:09:54.019 is God someone who lowers the pass mark? 00:09:55.299 --> 00:09:57.759 Here's my standard, but I know you're finding it hard. 00:09:57.919 --> 00:10:02.840 Therefore, I'll lower the bar so your idea of goodness can be good enough. 00:10:02.960 --> 00:10:03.259 No. 00:10:04.439 --> 00:10:09.179 God does not grade on a curve like our exam boards do. 00:10:09.179 --> 00:10:17.079 One thing we need to understand about Christianity is it's really honest about our God. 00:10:17.659 --> 00:10:19.339 That God is perfect. 00:10:20.019 --> 00:10:22.859 That he is perfectly holy and good. 00:10:23.179 --> 00:10:24.059 That he hates sin. 00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:27.779 He hates everything that is wrong or unjust or impure. 00:10:27.779 --> 00:10:35.659 And so if we want to earn God's favor, if we want to do something to know God, 00:10:35.980 --> 00:10:42.459 then the standard is 100% perfection in all of our lives. 00:10:42.460 --> 00:10:51.019 That we must love God with all our heart and soul and mind and strength in our words, 00:10:51.240 --> 00:10:58.100 our actions, our thoughts and motives all the time from childhood until death. 00:10:58.300 --> 00:11:06.360 And we must love others with the same kind of energy and care to the details that we apply to ourselves 00:11:06.360 --> 00:11:09.180 as we love and look after ourselves. 00:11:10.539 --> 00:11:15.379 And if we can do that, then we can inherit eternal life. 00:11:15.580 --> 00:11:20.100 But of course, as we all know, when we look at our lives, and we don't need to look very deep, 00:11:20.680 --> 00:11:23.180 none of us can do that. 00:11:23.220 --> 00:11:29.120 As the Bible says, no one is righteous, not even one. 00:11:29.120 --> 00:11:35.539 And so there's honesty about God, and there's honesty about our human condition. 00:11:35.700 --> 00:11:38.060 By ourselves, we are unable. 00:11:38.860 --> 00:11:40.200 But there's also good news. 00:11:40.299 --> 00:11:42.120 There's a hint of the good news. 00:11:42.320 --> 00:11:45.039 In verse 18, Jesus says, 00:11:45.480 --> 00:11:47.139 Why do you call me good? 00:11:47.560 --> 00:11:50.100 No one is good except God alone. 00:11:50.159 --> 00:11:52.940 And here's a glorious thing that we discover about Jesus. 00:11:52.940 --> 00:12:00.840 He is God, and he is truly good as someone who becomes truly man. 00:12:02.160 --> 00:12:10.200 When we look at Jesus in the Gospels, we discover the only one who has ever lived a life of perfect love, 00:12:10.280 --> 00:12:12.300 both towards God and towards other people. 00:12:12.640 --> 00:12:18.160 We discover the only one who has lived in complete obedience to his Father's commands, 00:12:18.200 --> 00:12:21.500 and he's done it with joy all the way through. 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:28.639 And that's good news for us, because the Bible says Jesus came to do that as a substitute for us. 00:12:29.720 --> 00:12:36.940 We fail, we break the law, we stand condemned, but Jesus comes to stand in our claim, 00:12:37.519 --> 00:12:43.360 to be perfectly righteous where we fail, and that's a gift we receive by faith. 00:12:45.019 --> 00:12:49.919 One of the things this passage, I think, reminds us of is that there are two approaches to Jesus, 00:12:49.919 --> 00:12:54.019 one that is doomed to failure and one that meets with success and blessing. 00:12:54.139 --> 00:12:54.979 You've got the man. 00:12:55.379 --> 00:13:00.779 The man is a model of somebody who comes with, it's like he comes with this religious record of achievement. 00:13:01.299 --> 00:13:04.360 Look, Jesus, here's these commands that I've kept since I was young. 00:13:04.779 --> 00:13:07.799 Here's me, and I'm trusting in my goodness. 00:13:10.259 --> 00:13:11.620 He goes away sad. 00:13:11.620 --> 00:13:14.659 But remember, Jesus met with another group. 00:13:15.799 --> 00:13:18.899 Verse 13, he met with little children. 00:13:19.759 --> 00:13:24.580 How do little children come to the people that they trust? 00:13:24.620 --> 00:13:25.940 You think about little children. 00:13:26.200 --> 00:13:29.700 When they see their mom or their dad or somebody that they trust, 00:13:29.899 --> 00:13:31.539 they come with their arms open, don't they? 00:13:31.940 --> 00:13:38.580 There's absolute trust and faith there to be embraced by the one that they love. 00:13:38.580 --> 00:13:41.560 And that's what we see from the little children. 00:13:42.000 --> 00:13:44.180 That's the way to blessing. 00:13:45.240 --> 00:13:48.100 Come with your hands empty. 00:13:48.580 --> 00:13:51.320 We have nothing to bring to the table. 00:13:51.860 --> 00:13:59.300 We come to Jesus to receive his righteousness, his goodness and perfection as a gift. 00:13:59.299 --> 00:14:07.539 When you and I, when we stand before God, the judge, at the end of time, as we all will, 00:14:08.479 --> 00:14:16.659 one of the things that we need to think about is what will we point to as the basis for God to accept us? 00:14:17.699 --> 00:14:23.500 When God says to us, why should I let you into my perfection, into heaven? 00:14:24.519 --> 00:14:26.399 Let's learn from the rich man. 00:14:26.399 --> 00:14:29.159 Don't point to ourselves. 00:14:30.220 --> 00:14:32.100 Don't say, here's the things that I've done. 00:14:32.600 --> 00:14:33.639 Because that's not good enough. 00:14:34.419 --> 00:14:36.419 Rather, trust in Jesus. 00:14:38.259 --> 00:14:39.279 Don't look at me. 00:14:39.959 --> 00:14:40.840 Look at your son. 00:14:41.879 --> 00:14:45.819 He lived the perfect life for me that I never could, but I should have. 00:14:46.679 --> 00:14:49.519 And he died for me the death that I deserve. 00:14:50.379 --> 00:14:55.480 Count me righteous because I'm trusting in Jesus alone. 00:14:55.480 --> 00:15:00.740 That's the only answer that God accepts. 00:15:02.159 --> 00:15:08.879 So we need to ask ourselves, is Jesus Christ today my righteousness? 00:15:09.600 --> 00:15:14.980 Am I trusting in his goodness and his goodness alone? 00:15:14.980 --> 00:15:21.360 Next question to think about from this passage is this one. 00:15:21.460 --> 00:15:23.480 What is my treasure? 00:15:24.039 --> 00:15:28.200 So here is Jesus and he's speaking to a man that he loves. 00:15:28.360 --> 00:15:30.080 We're told that in verse 21. 00:15:30.680 --> 00:15:35.480 And he has made this man and he wants to help this man. 00:15:35.480 --> 00:15:48.860 And similarly, Jesus has made us and he loves us and he wants us to see our heart problem and to see him as its cure. 00:15:50.180 --> 00:15:52.480 In this way, Jesus is like a surgeon. 00:15:52.659 --> 00:16:00.879 Jesus will sometimes cut and cut deeply, but he does it always so that he might bring spiritual healing. 00:16:00.879 --> 00:16:09.019 So when Jesus asks the question in verse 21 of the man to sell everything you have and give to the poor and you'll have treasure in heaven, 00:16:09.379 --> 00:16:12.059 Jesus is not saying if you have money, get rid of it. 00:16:12.120 --> 00:16:17.580 That's not a universal truth to apply to anyone who wants to be a Christian. 00:16:18.200 --> 00:16:24.340 Rather, he is identifying that this man before him has a heart problem. 00:16:24.980 --> 00:16:28.259 He has the problem of idolatry. 00:16:28.259 --> 00:16:35.439 He has made his money into the thing that he lives for and values most of all. 00:16:36.279 --> 00:16:43.700 In essence, Jesus is asking the question of him, is it your money or your life? 00:16:44.779 --> 00:16:50.659 And the man sadly, tragically, chooses to live for his money. 00:16:51.439 --> 00:16:57.600 He wanted eternal life, but he valued money more than God. 00:16:57.600 --> 00:17:05.620 He wouldn't loosen that grip on his money so that he might follow Jesus and inherit eternal life. 00:17:07.160 --> 00:17:11.059 Now, idols, of course, are not just an ancient problem. 00:17:11.740 --> 00:17:22.980 We recognize today, I guess, that money is one of those things that has a huge influence, a huge pull on us and on society. 00:17:22.980 --> 00:17:29.640 This week, I read a couple of articles where the wording idolatry was used. 00:17:29.900 --> 00:17:34.299 So there was one article talking about children's celebrity idols. 00:17:34.900 --> 00:17:39.620 Those involved in education are becoming increasingly concerned that there are some children who are saying, 00:17:40.039 --> 00:17:41.200 I don't need hard work. 00:17:41.339 --> 00:17:42.220 I don't need education. 00:17:42.339 --> 00:17:45.720 What I need to do is get famous like those folks on the telly. 00:17:45.720 --> 00:17:49.019 That's the way to achieve. 00:17:50.720 --> 00:17:55.319 Another article was talking about social media as society's modern-day idol. 00:17:55.460 --> 00:18:00.039 Here's the thing that we bow down to for approval and identity. 00:18:00.779 --> 00:18:08.740 We recognize that there are things in our lives that we choose to value and choose to define us. 00:18:08.740 --> 00:18:16.799 And again, while we're thinking about questions, it's really important for us to be able to reflect on our own lives with honesty. 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:22.940 Whether we're Christians, whether we're not Christians, what do I value most in my life? 00:18:24.319 --> 00:18:28.160 Where do I plow my time and my energy and my money into? 00:18:29.579 --> 00:18:32.599 What could I not imagine life without? 00:18:34.500 --> 00:18:35.980 We need to think about these things. 00:18:35.980 --> 00:18:43.299 We need to ask God to reveal the answers to us, even if they're hard for us to hear, to pray with honesty about those. 00:18:45.539 --> 00:18:47.400 Here's what we have in this story. 00:18:47.500 --> 00:18:52.220 We have a rich man standing before Jesus. 00:18:53.099 --> 00:18:55.480 He's looking to inherit eternal life. 00:18:56.860 --> 00:19:00.779 And in John's gospel, Jesus says, I am the way, the truth, and the life. 00:19:00.779 --> 00:19:10.460 Here is Jesus, the one who is the life of God, who can give the gift of eternal life, who is the treasure in heaven. 00:19:12.139 --> 00:19:18.619 But compared to the money in his pocket, the money in his bank, Jesus didn't seem that glorious. 00:19:19.740 --> 00:19:23.279 He weighed them up and he chose his money. 00:19:23.279 --> 00:19:27.359 The Bible tells us we see the glory of God in the face of Jesus. 00:19:27.480 --> 00:19:31.759 We look at Jesus, we see the character and nature and quality of God. 00:19:32.720 --> 00:19:36.399 When you look at Jesus in the gospels, you think about how he was with his disciples. 00:19:36.519 --> 00:19:39.799 His love, his mercy, his patience, his willingness to forgive. 00:19:39.920 --> 00:19:43.379 We see the glory of God in the face of Jesus. 00:19:43.380 --> 00:19:53.020 But unless God opens our eyes by his spirit without God's help, we will not see Christ as treasure. 00:19:54.060 --> 00:19:55.100 He will seem mundane. 00:19:55.240 --> 00:19:57.840 He will seem just another figure in history. 00:19:59.480 --> 00:20:04.380 I was at the football yesterday watching Edinburgh City against Peterhead. 00:20:05.040 --> 00:20:12.640 And I was standing there in the cold and remembering as a student when I used to go and watch Aberdeen play in Petaudry. 00:20:12.640 --> 00:20:18.660 And the first couple of matches I went to, I found myself asking the friend who I went with, 00:20:19.400 --> 00:20:22.480 why does anyone bother going to live football? 00:20:22.740 --> 00:20:26.220 Now, that wasn't an indictment on the way Aberdeen were playing. 00:20:26.680 --> 00:20:27.680 That wasn't great. 00:20:29.340 --> 00:20:34.580 It was a reflection on the fact that all I could see were blurry figures running around. 00:20:34.660 --> 00:20:37.880 It's like, I think he's playing in red, so I know he's playing in red. 00:20:37.900 --> 00:20:38.800 I have no idea who he is. 00:20:39.160 --> 00:20:40.860 Turns out I needed glasses. 00:20:40.859 --> 00:20:48.799 I couldn't see what the fuss was all about because I didn't have glasses and I really needed them. 00:20:49.619 --> 00:20:54.679 John Calvin talks about the Bible as God's glasses. 00:20:55.259 --> 00:20:59.439 It's the way that he reveals Jesus to us. 00:20:59.459 --> 00:21:02.459 And we need the glasses of the gospel. 00:21:02.460 --> 00:21:08.620 We need God to do something in us so that we would see the glory of Jesus and his salvation, 00:21:08.620 --> 00:21:14.120 so that we would desire and treasure him above everything else. 00:21:14.799 --> 00:21:18.259 That's true for us if we're not Christians or if we are Christians, 00:21:18.360 --> 00:21:23.579 because it's so easy for us to sort of plateau and think, I understand Jesus. 00:21:23.579 --> 00:21:28.720 And we can allow, even as Christians, Jesus to become somewhat mundane to us. 00:21:29.439 --> 00:21:38.039 We need God constantly to be showing us how glorious our Savior and our salvation is. 00:21:38.919 --> 00:21:43.259 Notice at the end of verse 21, after saying, 00:21:43.460 --> 00:21:44.939 sell everything and you'll have treasure in heaven. 00:21:45.039 --> 00:21:47.199 He says, then come, follow me. 00:21:47.619 --> 00:21:48.699 That is the goal. 00:21:48.700 --> 00:21:51.360 That's eternal life, to follow Jesus. 00:21:51.539 --> 00:21:55.000 Here's this quality of life that we're invited into, 00:21:55.200 --> 00:22:00.160 to know Jesus as our elder brother, as our Savior, as our Lord and King, 00:22:00.420 --> 00:22:02.559 and to be brought into God's family. 00:22:03.180 --> 00:22:06.380 He is the one who brings us to God, his Father. 00:22:07.600 --> 00:22:10.539 So eternal life is something we look forward to, 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:12.660 a perfect life that lasts forever, 00:22:12.660 --> 00:22:15.240 but it's a life we're invited into now, 00:22:15.540 --> 00:22:20.759 because it's an invitation into our relationship with the God who made us and loves us, 00:22:21.380 --> 00:22:22.580 now and forever. 00:22:24.000 --> 00:22:29.560 How does God correct our vision so that we would treasure Jesus, 00:22:29.680 --> 00:22:32.080 unlike this rich man who couldn't see Jesus, 00:22:32.620 --> 00:22:34.779 as treasure and walked away? 00:22:36.040 --> 00:22:37.440 Well, we've said it in part already, 00:22:37.440 --> 00:22:42.920 that God uses the Bible to reveal his truth and his glory to us. 00:22:44.440 --> 00:22:49.340 He uses things like gathering together as God's people in church, 00:22:50.160 --> 00:22:56.080 worship, reminding one another in song and in word of the truth of the gospel. 00:22:57.460 --> 00:22:58.980 As we pray, 00:23:00.660 --> 00:23:06.840 God works in us and confirms that relationship that we enjoy 00:23:06.839 --> 00:23:10.179 and speaks with us as we speak with him. 00:23:10.279 --> 00:23:12.559 There are things that we can do, 00:23:13.319 --> 00:23:18.000 places that we can be to help us to delight in Jesus more. 00:23:18.220 --> 00:23:21.799 Therefore, quite simply, we should make use of those. 00:23:24.139 --> 00:23:28.759 And we should ask God to change us when we come to church, 00:23:28.819 --> 00:23:29.679 when we read the Bible, 00:23:30.019 --> 00:23:32.980 as we pray, as we spend time with other Christians. 00:23:32.980 --> 00:23:36.759 Verse 28 is interesting. 00:23:36.900 --> 00:23:41.339 So after Jesus talking about how hard it is for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God 00:23:41.339 --> 00:23:42.700 because of the power of that idol, 00:23:43.579 --> 00:23:45.160 now Peter says to Jesus, 00:23:45.720 --> 00:23:49.180 we have left everything to follow you. 00:23:49.620 --> 00:23:52.220 So here's a great example of what does Jesus say? 00:23:52.339 --> 00:23:54.140 Jesus encourages Peter, 00:23:54.339 --> 00:23:56.440 he encourages us as a church, 00:23:56.779 --> 00:24:00.720 that giving up everything to follow Jesus is absolutely worth it. 00:24:00.720 --> 00:24:04.400 That yes, there will be persecutions, 00:24:04.519 --> 00:24:07.240 but there are also rich promises attached 00:24:07.240 --> 00:24:12.380 and ultimately the treasure of eternal life, 00:24:12.660 --> 00:24:14.720 now and always. 00:24:16.059 --> 00:24:18.600 I quoted Jim Elliott last Sunday evening. 00:24:18.680 --> 00:24:19.559 I'm going to quote him again. 00:24:20.120 --> 00:24:21.180 Jim Elliott, 00:24:21.660 --> 00:24:26.759 who was a missionary who went to a tribe 00:24:26.759 --> 00:24:29.160 who were headhunters who would kill 00:24:29.160 --> 00:24:33.319 and then do things with people's heads to preserve them. 00:24:33.940 --> 00:24:34.480 Jim Elliott, 00:24:34.579 --> 00:24:35.960 before he went to the mission field 00:24:35.960 --> 00:24:38.180 and he was killed within weeks of being there, 00:24:38.279 --> 00:24:38.619 he said, 00:24:38.720 --> 00:24:40.039 he is no fool 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:42.720 who gives what he cannot keep 00:24:42.720 --> 00:24:46.500 to gain what he cannot lose. 00:24:48.160 --> 00:24:49.680 Let's ask ourselves the question, 00:24:49.799 --> 00:24:52.599 is Christ really my treasure? 00:24:52.599 --> 00:24:55.619 If not, do I want him to be? 00:24:55.719 --> 00:24:56.799 Do I see? 00:24:56.939 --> 00:25:00.199 Is God helping me to see how glorious he is? 00:25:00.219 --> 00:25:01.939 In which case, pray. 00:25:02.899 --> 00:25:03.799 Confess your sin. 00:25:03.980 --> 00:25:04.659 Turn to him. 00:25:04.740 --> 00:25:07.879 Put your faith and trust in him. 00:25:09.119 --> 00:25:10.839 Here's the last question to think about 00:25:10.839 --> 00:25:14.659 and it takes us back to the man's question in verse 17. 00:25:15.259 --> 00:25:19.779 How can I inherit eternal life? 00:25:19.779 --> 00:25:23.180 Let's scale back for a moment. 00:25:23.619 --> 00:25:28.099 As I was reading this week for this morning, 00:25:28.279 --> 00:25:30.660 I was sitting for a while in the museum. 00:25:31.180 --> 00:25:33.359 It's a nice space to think, I find. 00:25:33.740 --> 00:25:35.559 When you start walking around the museum, 00:25:36.200 --> 00:25:39.500 you discover all kinds of strange artifacts. 00:25:40.759 --> 00:25:41.759 They've got some new exhibitions. 00:25:41.920 --> 00:25:43.799 They've got some interesting things on show. 00:25:44.440 --> 00:25:46.259 Sometimes you might find yourself asking, 00:25:46.259 --> 00:25:50.119 what is this thing for, this ancient tool? 00:25:50.279 --> 00:25:53.019 Why was it made? 00:25:53.220 --> 00:25:56.720 And again, without an authority to answer that question, 00:25:56.799 --> 00:25:58.680 sometimes it's really hard to figure out 00:25:58.680 --> 00:26:01.099 what that thing really is. 00:26:03.579 --> 00:26:08.140 Here, I think, is one of the big questions for all of us. 00:26:08.779 --> 00:26:09.339 Maybe the biggest. 00:26:09.819 --> 00:26:12.660 What am I here for? 00:26:12.660 --> 00:26:18.120 What is the purpose of my having been created? 00:26:20.560 --> 00:26:21.720 Sometimes we're so busy, 00:26:21.800 --> 00:26:23.800 we don't have time to think about these big questions. 00:26:23.860 --> 00:26:24.920 But there is a question, surely, 00:26:25.019 --> 00:26:27.259 that everyone should think through. 00:26:28.220 --> 00:26:30.380 And again, thinking about Jesus as an authority, 00:26:30.560 --> 00:26:32.300 thinking about the Bible as an authority, 00:26:32.519 --> 00:26:34.060 it speaks to that question. 00:26:35.060 --> 00:26:36.120 It says, you and I, 00:26:36.500 --> 00:26:38.140 we were made to enjoy, 00:26:38.480 --> 00:26:40.440 to know and enjoy friendship with God, 00:26:40.440 --> 00:26:41.940 to worship Him, 00:26:42.019 --> 00:26:42.920 to see His glory, 00:26:43.039 --> 00:26:44.180 to love Him. 00:26:45.039 --> 00:26:46.920 That's the storyline of the Bible. 00:26:47.019 --> 00:26:48.420 You go back to the beginning 00:26:48.420 --> 00:26:50.059 when God created the world 00:26:50.059 --> 00:26:52.180 and God created the first people, 00:26:52.320 --> 00:26:53.200 Adam and Eve. 00:26:53.500 --> 00:26:54.640 He created them 00:26:54.640 --> 00:26:56.840 so that they might know God, 00:26:56.940 --> 00:26:58.420 they might enjoy friendship with God, 00:26:58.480 --> 00:27:01.100 that they might be worshipers of God, 00:27:01.420 --> 00:27:03.580 enjoying His love and care. 00:27:03.660 --> 00:27:04.860 That was a relationship 00:27:04.860 --> 00:27:06.380 between God and people established 00:27:06.380 --> 00:27:07.279 from the beginning. 00:27:07.980 --> 00:27:10.000 But then that relationship was broken 00:27:10.000 --> 00:27:12.059 because those first two people, 00:27:12.200 --> 00:27:14.660 they walked away from God and His commands. 00:27:14.799 --> 00:27:17.359 They decided they would like to be in charge 00:27:17.359 --> 00:27:20.700 and determine the right way to live. 00:27:21.579 --> 00:27:24.819 And so they were cut off from God, 00:27:25.000 --> 00:27:27.559 from relationship with God, 00:27:27.680 --> 00:27:29.099 having rejected Him, 00:27:29.380 --> 00:27:31.519 having allowed sin to enter into the world. 00:27:31.519 --> 00:27:35.680 But as we trace the storyline of the Bible, 00:27:35.759 --> 00:27:37.980 we see it's all building to this wonderful moment 00:27:37.980 --> 00:27:40.819 when God in His love sends Jesus. 00:27:41.740 --> 00:27:44.819 Jesus who comes as truly God, 00:27:45.039 --> 00:27:46.480 who becomes truly human 00:27:46.480 --> 00:27:49.299 in order to rescue us 00:27:49.299 --> 00:27:51.519 through living perfectly for us, 00:27:51.860 --> 00:27:54.279 through dying to pay the penalty, 00:27:54.880 --> 00:27:56.779 the punishment for our sin for us, 00:27:56.839 --> 00:27:58.860 and rising in victory 00:27:58.860 --> 00:28:00.680 to restore us 00:28:00.680 --> 00:28:04.940 to relationship with the God who made us, 00:28:04.940 --> 00:28:07.400 to give us hope 00:28:07.400 --> 00:28:10.039 that one day that paradise lost 00:28:10.039 --> 00:28:11.360 by Adam and Eve 00:28:11.360 --> 00:28:13.860 would become for us paradise restored, 00:28:14.580 --> 00:28:16.299 never to be lost again 00:28:16.299 --> 00:28:17.960 for all eternity. 00:28:18.220 --> 00:28:19.420 The hope of the gospel 00:28:19.420 --> 00:28:21.400 is forgiveness 00:28:21.400 --> 00:28:23.220 and eternal life 00:28:23.220 --> 00:28:25.019 and reconciliation 00:28:25.019 --> 00:28:27.460 and adopted into the family of God. 00:28:27.539 --> 00:28:28.380 And one day 00:28:28.380 --> 00:28:31.200 to be with God in His glory, 00:28:31.320 --> 00:28:32.400 to be with Jesus, 00:28:32.400 --> 00:28:33.400 our Savior forever, 00:28:33.519 --> 00:28:35.460 to see Him face to face 00:28:35.460 --> 00:28:37.040 in a perfect world 00:28:37.040 --> 00:28:39.100 that will never end. 00:28:39.560 --> 00:28:41.080 That's what we were made for. 00:28:41.200 --> 00:28:42.900 That's what we were made to enjoy. 00:28:43.019 --> 00:28:44.740 Now, in that process 00:28:44.740 --> 00:28:47.960 of God looking to restore us 00:28:47.960 --> 00:28:49.840 so that we might receive 00:28:49.840 --> 00:28:51.460 this wonderful eternal life, 00:28:52.160 --> 00:28:53.160 how does that happen? 00:28:54.160 --> 00:28:55.580 Is that eternal life 00:28:55.580 --> 00:28:57.280 something that we achieve 00:28:57.280 --> 00:29:00.080 by personal goodness and hard work, 00:29:00.079 --> 00:29:02.899 or is it something that we receive? 00:29:04.679 --> 00:29:07.039 Is it a wage that we are paid 00:29:07.039 --> 00:29:08.399 for services rendered, 00:29:09.480 --> 00:29:11.919 or is it a gift of grace? 00:29:12.019 --> 00:29:13.919 Does it come to us as a present 00:29:13.919 --> 00:29:16.539 from a good and a generous God? 00:29:18.579 --> 00:29:20.460 Jesus' encounter with the children 00:29:20.460 --> 00:29:21.759 and the young man 00:29:21.759 --> 00:29:24.119 reveals the answer. 00:29:24.299 --> 00:29:24.859 Negatively, 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.579 the young man shows us 00:29:26.579 --> 00:29:28.579 that we don't inherit eternal life 00:29:28.579 --> 00:29:30.119 by doing certain things, 00:29:30.179 --> 00:29:32.039 by keeping certain laws. 00:29:32.960 --> 00:29:34.460 Christianity is not, 00:29:34.899 --> 00:29:36.480 and has never been, 00:29:36.960 --> 00:29:38.960 based on our good works 00:29:38.960 --> 00:29:40.399 or our rule keeping. 00:29:40.500 --> 00:29:41.179 This is what makes 00:29:41.179 --> 00:29:42.339 Christianity unique. 00:29:43.419 --> 00:29:44.799 Every other religion says, 00:29:45.179 --> 00:29:46.139 work really hard, 00:29:46.419 --> 00:29:47.720 and if you are good enough, 00:29:47.919 --> 00:29:49.639 your God might accept you. 00:29:52.139 --> 00:29:53.480 Christianity says, 00:29:54.199 --> 00:29:56.059 God saves us by grace 00:29:56.059 --> 00:29:57.399 when we are not good, 00:29:58.759 --> 00:30:00.179 and then he calls us to work 00:30:00.179 --> 00:30:01.919 out of that grace, 00:30:02.039 --> 00:30:03.099 out of that new position, 00:30:03.220 --> 00:30:04.159 out of that new life 00:30:04.159 --> 00:30:05.399 that we've been given. 00:30:06.159 --> 00:30:07.159 Christianity works 00:30:07.159 --> 00:30:09.079 on the basis of grace, 00:30:09.740 --> 00:30:11.899 which is so freeing. 00:30:12.500 --> 00:30:13.819 If you have ever had 00:30:13.819 --> 00:30:14.659 the experience 00:30:14.659 --> 00:30:17.339 of trying to earn your way 00:30:17.339 --> 00:30:18.679 into God's good books, 00:30:19.200 --> 00:30:20.399 you will know 00:30:20.399 --> 00:30:23.159 that that is an exhausting way 00:30:23.159 --> 00:30:23.919 to live. 00:30:23.920 --> 00:30:25.980 It's like you're 00:30:25.980 --> 00:30:28.820 constantly on a treadmill. 00:30:29.060 --> 00:30:30.460 You're trying to keep up. 00:30:30.519 --> 00:30:32.000 You're working so hard, 00:30:32.340 --> 00:30:34.300 but you're never getting anywhere. 00:30:35.180 --> 00:30:36.100 Sometimes you feel 00:30:36.100 --> 00:30:37.800 really good with your progress. 00:30:38.120 --> 00:30:39.360 Sometimes you feel terrible 00:30:39.360 --> 00:30:40.140 about your progress, 00:30:40.240 --> 00:30:41.039 but all the while 00:30:41.039 --> 00:30:42.200 you're stuck on a treadmill. 00:30:42.380 --> 00:30:44.160 You're getting nowhere. 00:30:45.620 --> 00:30:48.300 Religion based on me 00:30:48.300 --> 00:30:49.640 and what I can do 00:30:49.640 --> 00:30:53.000 is a path going nowhere. 00:30:53.000 --> 00:30:55.579 It's a path to despair. 00:30:57.460 --> 00:30:58.380 The disciples, 00:30:58.759 --> 00:30:59.980 they're struggling 00:30:59.980 --> 00:31:02.000 with Jesus' conversation 00:31:02.000 --> 00:31:03.599 with the rich man. 00:31:04.400 --> 00:31:05.259 Jesus says to them 00:31:05.259 --> 00:31:06.019 in verse 24, 00:31:06.140 --> 00:31:06.960 how hard it is 00:31:06.960 --> 00:31:08.099 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:31:08.180 --> 00:31:09.400 It's easier for a camel 00:31:09.400 --> 00:31:10.839 to go through the eye 00:31:10.839 --> 00:31:11.200 of a needle 00:31:11.200 --> 00:31:12.039 than for a rich man 00:31:12.039 --> 00:31:13.200 to enter the kingdom of God. 00:31:13.259 --> 00:31:14.640 So the disciples ask, 00:31:15.220 --> 00:31:16.519 who then can be saved? 00:31:16.559 --> 00:31:17.400 Now they're asking that 00:31:17.400 --> 00:31:18.619 because they're thinking, 00:31:19.579 --> 00:31:19.779 hang on, 00:31:19.779 --> 00:31:20.980 if this good man, 00:31:21.799 --> 00:31:23.079 if he can't be saved 00:31:23.079 --> 00:31:24.000 by his goodness, 00:31:24.500 --> 00:31:25.920 and we always thought 00:31:25.920 --> 00:31:26.700 that rich people 00:31:26.700 --> 00:31:27.899 were blessed by God, 00:31:27.960 --> 00:31:28.559 so if this person 00:31:28.559 --> 00:31:29.259 who seems like he's being 00:31:29.259 --> 00:31:30.099 blessed by God 00:31:30.099 --> 00:31:31.000 can't be saved, 00:31:31.240 --> 00:31:31.940 if he can't get, 00:31:32.000 --> 00:31:32.819 is there any hope 00:31:32.819 --> 00:31:33.599 for anyone? 00:31:34.319 --> 00:31:36.160 Can anyone be saved? 00:31:36.160 --> 00:31:37.180 That's a great question 00:31:37.180 --> 00:31:37.799 to think about. 00:31:38.500 --> 00:31:39.519 And Jesus straight away 00:31:39.519 --> 00:31:40.420 gives them an answer. 00:31:41.240 --> 00:31:42.160 Verse 27, 00:31:42.160 --> 00:31:43.500 Jesus looked at them 00:31:43.500 --> 00:31:43.840 and said, 00:31:44.080 --> 00:31:45.460 with man this is impossible, 00:31:46.320 --> 00:31:47.180 but not with God. 00:31:47.820 --> 00:31:49.779 All things are possible 00:31:49.779 --> 00:31:50.360 with God. 00:31:50.460 --> 00:31:51.240 Eternal life, 00:31:51.540 --> 00:31:52.759 humanly impossible. 00:31:53.120 --> 00:31:55.160 It's a standard too high, 00:31:55.700 --> 00:31:56.920 but with God, 00:31:57.279 --> 00:31:58.140 with God's power, 00:31:58.279 --> 00:31:58.960 with God's love, 00:31:59.019 --> 00:31:59.980 with God's grace, 00:32:00.300 --> 00:32:02.100 it is possible. 00:32:03.440 --> 00:32:05.220 And it's possible for us 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.700 because it's not something 00:32:06.700 --> 00:32:08.220 we're invited to achieve. 00:32:09.120 --> 00:32:10.279 It's something we're 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.400 invited to receive. 00:32:11.400 --> 00:32:13.100 as a gift of grace 00:32:13.100 --> 00:32:14.019 from a loving God. 00:32:15.660 --> 00:32:17.040 We're invited to receive 00:32:17.040 --> 00:32:17.860 the finished work 00:32:17.860 --> 00:32:18.640 of the Lord Jesus 00:32:18.640 --> 00:32:19.560 on our behalf. 00:32:19.740 --> 00:32:20.820 Jesus has completed 00:32:20.820 --> 00:32:22.100 God's plan of salvation. 00:32:23.360 --> 00:32:24.380 He has lived the life 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.400 of perfect obedience 00:32:25.400 --> 00:32:26.120 that you and I 00:32:26.120 --> 00:32:27.340 should but can't. 00:32:28.500 --> 00:32:30.840 He has died on the cross, 00:32:31.740 --> 00:32:32.740 bearing our sin, 00:32:33.700 --> 00:32:35.120 going there as a substitute, 00:32:35.320 --> 00:32:37.519 as a sacrifice for us, 00:32:38.140 --> 00:32:39.060 so that our sins 00:32:39.060 --> 00:32:40.920 might be cleansed, 00:32:40.920 --> 00:32:41.960 we might be made new, 00:32:42.039 --> 00:32:43.000 we might be forgiven, 00:32:43.340 --> 00:32:44.680 we might be acceptable 00:32:44.680 --> 00:32:46.160 in God's sight 00:32:46.160 --> 00:32:47.800 because we are in 00:32:47.800 --> 00:32:49.039 the Lord Jesus. 00:32:50.180 --> 00:32:51.380 This is a gift. 00:32:51.580 --> 00:32:53.019 It's a costly gift to Jesus, 00:32:53.180 --> 00:32:54.800 paid for with his own blood, 00:32:55.180 --> 00:32:57.019 but it's a gift free for us 00:32:57.019 --> 00:32:58.940 to receive by faith, 00:32:59.039 --> 00:33:01.300 by trusting in him. 00:33:01.299 --> 00:33:07.879 Let's go back to these little children. 00:33:09.879 --> 00:33:11.119 Peter and the disciples 00:33:11.119 --> 00:33:12.960 thought Jesus was too important 00:33:12.960 --> 00:33:15.299 to bother with these children, 00:33:16.039 --> 00:33:17.399 but Jesus uses the children 00:33:17.399 --> 00:33:19.059 to teach a really important lesson. 00:33:19.180 --> 00:33:19.799 Verse 14, 00:33:19.879 --> 00:33:21.480 let the little children come to me. 00:33:22.000 --> 00:33:22.759 Don't hinder them, 00:33:22.819 --> 00:33:23.539 for the kingdom of God 00:33:23.539 --> 00:33:25.799 belongs to such as these. 00:33:25.919 --> 00:33:26.539 I tell you the truth, 00:33:26.960 --> 00:33:28.419 anyone who will not receive 00:33:28.419 --> 00:33:29.460 the kingdom of God 00:33:29.460 --> 00:33:30.740 like a little child, 00:33:31.140 --> 00:33:33.019 will never enter it. 00:33:33.079 --> 00:33:34.660 Let's go back to children. 00:33:34.799 --> 00:33:35.460 Let's think about 00:33:35.460 --> 00:33:39.220 how children receive presents 00:33:39.220 --> 00:33:40.680 when they are offered. 00:33:42.420 --> 00:33:43.840 You don't typically 00:33:43.840 --> 00:33:46.620 find them hanging back, 00:33:47.299 --> 00:33:48.220 being quite casual 00:33:48.220 --> 00:33:49.180 about that present. 00:33:49.420 --> 00:33:50.319 I can leave that 00:33:50.319 --> 00:33:51.100 for a week or two, 00:33:51.220 --> 00:33:51.900 don't need to open it. 00:33:52.120 --> 00:33:53.039 You don't find them 00:33:53.039 --> 00:33:55.440 trying to find their piggy bank 00:33:55.440 --> 00:33:57.620 so that they can pay you back 00:33:57.619 --> 00:33:59.099 for this gift that you're offering. 00:33:59.299 --> 00:33:59.639 Rather, 00:33:59.759 --> 00:34:00.639 what you see 00:34:00.639 --> 00:34:03.039 is eyes that light up 00:34:03.039 --> 00:34:06.219 and you see hands that open 00:34:06.219 --> 00:34:08.179 and you see a gladness 00:34:08.179 --> 00:34:09.839 to receive and enjoy 00:34:09.839 --> 00:34:11.699 the gift that they are offered. 00:34:12.460 --> 00:34:13.299 Wonderful thing 00:34:13.299 --> 00:34:15.239 that Jesus identifies in children 00:34:15.239 --> 00:34:16.539 is that they are humble. 00:34:18.440 --> 00:34:20.019 They're not trying to earn this present, 00:34:20.119 --> 00:34:21.759 they just receive it as a gift. 00:34:22.420 --> 00:34:23.559 Children are trusting 00:34:23.559 --> 00:34:25.559 and dependent. 00:34:26.440 --> 00:34:27.360 And that's what Jesus 00:34:27.360 --> 00:34:29.880 is calling all of us to. 00:34:31.019 --> 00:34:31.960 Humble hearts, 00:34:32.739 --> 00:34:34.019 dependent hearts, 00:34:34.559 --> 00:34:35.460 trusting hearts 00:34:35.460 --> 00:34:36.299 that recognize 00:34:36.299 --> 00:34:37.400 if we want 00:34:37.400 --> 00:34:40.340 the life that we were made for, 00:34:40.840 --> 00:34:42.579 a life of perfect joy 00:34:42.579 --> 00:34:44.239 and love and peace 00:34:44.239 --> 00:34:46.099 and friendship with God, 00:34:46.799 --> 00:34:48.299 we need to receive it 00:34:48.299 --> 00:34:49.900 as a gift. 00:34:50.500 --> 00:34:51.880 We need to give up our idols, 00:34:51.880 --> 00:34:54.280 make Christ our treasure, 00:34:55.280 --> 00:34:56.160 have Christ 00:34:56.160 --> 00:34:57.539 as our life.