17 As Jesus was going out on the road, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”

20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”

21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”

22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard is it for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”

26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”

27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”

Mark 10:17-27 - World English Bible

Am I good enough for God? That was the question a young, rich man asked Jesus. By all accounts, the young man was a faithful Jew who followed the Law (summarized by the Ten Commandments in 10:19), but his efforts did not seem enough. He wanted, if not certainty, at least a sense of assurance he was headed for the Kingdom.

The sentiment found in the question was not uncommon in the first century AD; many Jews sought assurance in the matters of YHWH. After all, a foreign power occupied their land and drove the populace there into near starvation. In the Diaspora, they lived in ghettos to maintain their identity, against the prejudice and oppression of their pagan neighbors. In the time of Jesus, they lived a precarious existence. The question of being good enough, then, was really an inquiry into the lack of divine approval. If they were the Chosen People, why didn't God favor them politically, socially and economically? The faith-filled person would not doubt God, but question the efforts of the self. Am I good enough for God? What could I do to gain his favor?

Jesus answered the question with a call to discipleship. In essence, he told the young man, "Give up all other attachments to life and make me your first priority." The young man could not, so he walked away. The disciples were astounded, for if anyone could claim divine favor, the rich man who followed the Law, the one universally admired, would have the hardest time entering the Kingdom. "What?" the followers must have thought, "God blessed this righteous man with success. If he and those like him can't be saved, who can?" Here Jesus answered the question, "Who is good enough for God?" His answer was, "No one." And that was his point; people could not please God by themselves; only God could save and he wanted to save them all, saint and sinner alike. Nothing was impossible for God.

How has God blessed you this week? Do you feel humbled by his blessing?