Mark 10:27 Commentary and Bible Study

The Greek is ‘fixing his gaze on them’. This is something that must sink in and he says it with the utmost solemnity. He looked at them and they knew he would utter something so pivotal. ‘With men it is impossible.’ What is impossible? To be saved is impossible. This has not struck the disciples before as it does now, and this is what has deeply shocked them. Christ’s answer takes us back to verse 15: ‘Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein’ (Mark 10:15). The rich young ruler had not come with that complete dependence. He had thought he could make a reasonable contribution towards his salvation by keeping the commandments. Christ has had to set him a severe test and show him that he could not. ‘With men’ – relying only on the power which is natively in men – ‘it is impossible.’ Men cannot save themselves. They cannot qualify for the kingdom of heaven. There is nothing we can do. This is something deeply uncomfortable for human being to hear. The mind has the greatest of difficulty taking it in, though the words are simple enough. They cannot meet the entrance criteria. They cannot break free from what holds them back from entering, for sin has a much greater power than they do. There are all kinds of impediments and barriers which mean that even if we are asking positive question; even if the Son of God himself is standing physically in our presence, we will be unable to be saved unless God does it. But couldn’t I go through the eye of the needle? Can’t I get into heaven and find acceptance with God? No, I can do nothing, for I am a sinner and I have a past debt of sin which I cannot clear. No amount of learning, no number of connections can get me in. ‘But not with God: for with God all things are possible.’ Is it impossible for a rich man to be saved? Not impossible, not with God, because God can humble him to the dust. God can bring him away from his dependence upon his riches. God can deliver him from loving them and trusting in them and needing them and revelling in them. God can bring about, in us, what we cannot bring about in ourselves. He can bring about pardon for the condemned; life for dead through believing in Christ, relying on him; sight for the blind; great rewards for debtors; new character for corrupt. He gives us status – I am a child of God with a new nature; communion for the alienated; resurrection for the dead; liberty for the imprisoned, intellectual liberty, eternal liberty in heaven. The Spirit God works where he pleases. When he works we are made willing to forsake all and follow Christ. Observing that from the outside, might lead to the conclusion that the individual came to God on their own initiative, but Christ is telling us that is never the case..