Faith finds its strength in knowing the presence of Christ, hearing his Word, and following his example. The disciples who followed Jesus during his earthly ministry witnessed many great miracles and heard directly as Jesus taught.We see their faith growing and getting stronger as their faith was challenged and they grew in their willingness to follow Jesus. So for us, as we follow Christ and our faith is challenged and we have opportunity to grow, or faith become stronger.One of the events that the disciples witnessed is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke, this is when a young man comes to Jesus interrupting him, but Jesus willingly engages with him. So from the three gospel accounts we learn that this person was eager — he ran up to meet Jesus! He was young and rich, Luke tells us that he was a man of influence or power. And from all three records we see that he was religious and sought to live a good life.In this interaction the young man we see three important questions. First, he asked, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17). This question recognizes that there is more to this life than a few year here on earth. It recognized that there is an eternal life prepared by God for us. Jesus taught, “For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day” (John 6:40). Or as Paul stated, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people…” (Eph. 1:18).But this young man did not understand that God’s blessing of eternal life with Him in heaven was not something that could be purchased or earned, is an inheritance for the faithful believer.Second, he asked, “What do I lack?” (Mark 10:21). Jesus wanted to help him know that he was not just talking to a “good” teacher, but that he must put his trust in God and not in his wealth and position in life. Jesus emphasized to him that, “No one is good except God alone” (vs 18). Jesus urged him to keep God’s commandments, to which he thought he had been a “good” person. And to ...
