As we turn to today's passage, it’s important to note the two significant interactions Jesus had just before. In the first interaction, while teaching the crowd, parents were bringing their children to Him for blessings. The disciples, however, tried to send them away. Jesus rebuked the disciples, teaching them that children exemplify the subjects of His Kingdom. Children are inherently dependent and full of trust, believing that those who care for them will provide for their every need.
This message set the stage for the second interaction. A rich ruler approached Jesus as He was about to leave. This man, a Jew striving for holiness and righteousness before God, revealed that his self-reliance and self-righteousness had led to the accumulation of great possessions that ultimately captured his heart, taking the place of God. Despite showing humility by running to and kneeling before Jesus in search of eternal life, he could not let go of the kingdom he had built for himself to enter the Kingdom that Jesus was offering.
The prospect of relinquishing what he had acquired was too overwhelming, and he went away disheartened.
To enter the Kingdom of God, one must submit to the authority of Christ, demonstrating a child-like dependence and reliance on Him rather than on oneself. This morning, Mark encourages us to recognize that receiving and functioning within the Kingdom of God is only possible through God’s grace. And, receiving entry to this Kingdom brings significant implications for those who choose to enter.
