Whether we realize it or not, we are all looking somewhere for salvation. Some look to good works, the things of this world, or somewhere else to save them. Of course, we know that none of these things can save us; only Christ can save us. While we may logically understand that this world and everything in it cannot save us, the truth is that many people live as if this world can save us. We live this way when we chase after money, power, popularity, and possessions instead of Christ. There is a better way to live, friends. You see, this world is fading away, so we must look only to Christ and Christ alone for salvation.
Mark 10 provides a poignant reminder to stop looking to anything else other than Christ for hope and salvation. We saw in our Bible study yesterday that in this passage of Scripture, a man asked Jesus, “What must I do in order to inherit eternal life?” (verse 17). Jesus answered this man’s question by naming some of the 10 Commandments. The man responded to Jesus, saying, “Teacher… I’ve obeyed all of these commandments since I was young" (verse 20). In other words, this man was telling Jesus that he was a good man because he had obeyed all of the commandments since boyhood. There was a problem, however. You see, as we heard Jesus say in our Bible study yesterday, "No one is good—except God alone" (verse 18). This man thought he was good based on his actions and obedience, but Jesus knew his heart. That is why Jesus compassionately and lovingly said, “There is still one thing you haven’t done” (verse 21). In our Bible study tomorrow, we will look at what exactly this man had not done. Today, however, let's focus on the fact that this man’s goodness was not enough to earn his salvation. His goodness was a crutch he was leaning on, hoping that it would earn him salvation. The crutch of good works proved unable to earn this man salvation. Only Christ can do that. That is why Jesus said in John 14:6, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." He alone is the only way to salvation."
The man in Mark 10 looked to good works in order to earn salvation, but there are many things in this world that people look to for salvation. They may look to financial security, social status, or earthly possessions. The truth is, none of these things will lead to salvation. Salvation can only be found in Christ. Will you look to Him today?
Write down John 14:6 on a notecard or your bathroom mirror. Every time you see it, let it be a reminder to you not to put your hope in anything in this world but instead to place your hope solely in Christ. He is, after all, the only One who can truly save us.
1Then Jesus left Capernaum and went down to the region of Judea and into the area east of the Jordan River. Once again crowds gathered around him, and as usual he was teaching them.
2 Some Pharisees came and tried to trap him with this question: “Should a man be allowed to divorce his wife?”
3 Jesus answered them with a question: “What did Moses say in the law about divorce?”
4 “Well, he permitted it,” they replied. “He said a man can give his wife a written notice of divorce and send her away.”
5 But Jesus responded, “He wrote this commandment only as a concession to your hard hearts. 6 But ‘God made them male and female’ from the beginning of creation. 7 ‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, 8 and the two are united into one.’ Since they are no longer two but one, 9 let no one split apart what God has joined together.”
10 Later, when he was alone with his disciples in the house, they brought up the subject again. 11 He told them, “Whoever divorces his wife and marries someone else commits adultery against her. 12 And if a woman divorces her husband and marries someone else, she commits adultery.”
13 One day some parents brought their children to Jesus so he could touch and bless them. But the disciples scolded the parents for bothering him.
14 When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. 15 I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.” 16 Then he took the children in his arms and placed his hands on their heads and blessed them.
17 As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
