Dependence, Poverty, & Salvation

Mark 10:13-27

Two very familiar stories to the gospel narrative are here placed back-to-back, for, I think, no small coincidence. The first is the account of Jesus telling His disciples not to hinder the little children from coming to Him, “for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these” (v. 14). The second is the account commonly known as that of the rich young ruler, who refused Jesus’ invitation to discipleship due to his love of his many possessions.

Finally comes the disciples’ question, “Then who can be saved?” followed up by Jesus’ all-important answer, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God” (vv. 26-27).

Here, I would interpret the little children as being objects of pure dependence, because the rich young ruler is such a model of self-dependence. The rich man had obeyed the Ten Commandments, had many possessions, and probably felt well-off in life. Perhaps what he sough from Jesus was a fluffy, “pat-on-the-back” kind of answer like, “Way to go, we’ll be expecting you at the Pearly Gates!”

But not so! The little children are praised as heirs of the kingdom, and the rich man is told to make himself nothing. Jesus drives a hard line of humility and dependence. It brings to my mind His words in the Sermon on the Mount: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 5:3). Before God, we are all paupers unable to bargain any deal. But when we accept this reality, we find that He stands waiting to offer us His abundant riches in Christ, even adoption as His very own child.

Salvation does not come from my own effort or resources. It comes from dependence on God and His power to save me. It is His gift of grace. Here is the heart of the gospel message, straight from the mouth of the Savior Himself.