For the 19th Sunday after Pentecost in Series B, the three readings are Amos 5:6-7, 10-15; Hebrews 3:12-19 and Mark 10:17-22. Chosen to preach on is Mark 10:17, “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him and asked Him, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’”
This text is a perfect example of one of the key distinctions between Law and Gospel which is when to give the Law and when to give the Gospel. It is clear from verse 19 that Jesus uses the Law as He speaks about the commandments. But was Jesus correct? Did not the rich man ask Jesus how to get to heaven? And would not the proper response be to believe in Jesus as Savior? Why did Jesus instead use the Law rather than the Gospel? The key is in the question asked by the rich man.
He did NOT ask, “How do I get to heaven?” but “What shall I DO that I may inherit eternal life?” Let me ask you this question. What do you DO to inherit anything? The answer is “nothing.” Inheritance is a gift that is neither merited nor earned. It usually is due to a relationship that is passive, not active in nature such as being a child of a parent. The rich man got the idea of inheriting salvation from the Old Testament and the idea of doing something from Judaism. Judaism is not a continuation of the religion of Israel but rather a new religion that had synagogues instead of the temple, rabbis instead of priests and teaching of the Law instead of sacrifices.
The key distinction involved in whether you give Law or Gospel is the attitude on the part of the hearer. If the hearer, like this rich man, will not repent of his many sins because he is unaware of them, then he needs to hear the Law. However, if he had been in fear of God’s wrath due to sin, then he would have needed to hear the Gospel. The passage will continue with further explanation by Jesus in next week’s Gospel but at this point, Jesus has properly used the Law in light of the attitude of the rich man.
Name:Tom Baker