B. Looking at the Scripture Flashcards
Jesus felt that people should have clearly defined values. Jesus challenged
people to determine what they valued the most. He said to the rich man who came and
asked him one day, “Sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have
treasure in heaven, then come follow me” (Mark 10:21). His encounter with Jesus
made him aware what was really important to him.
Read the account in Mark 10: 17-22.
(106)1. What did the young man say he wanted when he came to Jesus? (v.17)
(107)2. What did Jesus say the young man should do? (v.19)
(108)3. What was the young man’s response to Jesus? (v.20)
(109)4. What should the young man do to really achieve what he truly wanted?
(v.21)
(110)5. Was the young man’s value made clear to him, Yes or No? What value did
he choose? (v.22)
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him.
“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you
call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know
the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall
not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father
and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21
Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell
everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then
come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had
great wealth.
The man’s values became clear. If his life had continued as it had, then he shall have
died a very rich man who had always obeyed the law. Even though he heard Jesus, but
he was not willing to give up his riches, then he showed that life hereafter was not his
highest value. Perhaps we should carefully note that Jesus passed no judgment on this
man during their conversation. He answered only what the man asked, and in such a
way, the man was forced to see what he himself really valued.
Why should we be concerned about the process of determining values? Unless we
exist in a state of vegetation we do have values. Even though we may not be aware of
our values, they are with us always-determining what we do with our lives. If the
values we hold determine what we do with our lives, then we would be wise to make
every attempt to determine what our values will be (RE 2 Syllabus, 2002).
The young man wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life.
Jesus told the young man to keep the commandments, listing some of them.
The young man responded by declaring that he had kept all these commandments since he was a boy.
To truly achieve what he wanted, Jesus instructed the young man to sell everything he had, give to the poor, and then follow him.
Yes, the young man’s value was made clear to him. He chose his great wealth over following Jesus and obtaining treasure in heaven
