Home > Jesus is God in Mark's Gospel
This follows on from The "Good Teacher" Dilemma. The young man had great wealth and it becomes clear that it is is “god”.
Mark 10:21–27:
And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”Luke 18:22–25:
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”Matthew 19:21–24:
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
“looking at him, loved him” - This implies a searching, penetrating look. In the context of the "Good Teacher" question, Jesus is looking past the man's outward law-keeping to his inner idolatry. This is a "Good" God telling a creature the hard truth for the sake of his soul.
"Go, Sell, Give, Follow" - Jesus exposes his false goodness. Jesus shows him that his "goodness" is an illusion because he loves his wealth more than the "Good" God standing in front of him. He keeps the "second tablet" of the Law (commandments regarding neighbors) but fails the "first tablet" (no other gods before Me).
“Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful” - He was shocked and appalled. The ruler called Jesus "Good" but rejected the "Good" Jesus offered. He wanted the title of eternal life without the Lord of eternal life.
“who can be saved?” - No one can enter the Kingdom unless the "Good" God does the impossible for them (which Jesus confirms in v. 27). Jesus here places Himself in the position of God. He demands a level of devotion—forsaking all earthly security—that is blasphemous if directed toward a mere man. He is claiming to be the "Treasure in Heaven" Himself. Follow Him to this Treasure that lasts forever.