The following quotes are from Jerram Barrs’ book The Heart of Evangelism. They address Mark 10- the passage we are studying for Grace Group this week- and lessons to be learned from Jesus’ example.
What are we to deduce for ourselves from this conversation?
We need to learn to ask questions that will help us understand the heart and mind of each individual we meet. The fundamental issue here is one of love. Do we care enough for people that we want to get to know them, so that what we say to them will be an apple of gold in a setting of silver, a word fitly framed to touch the inner being of the unique person before us?
We need to learn how to help people understand themselves and see the motivations and passion of their own hearts. The rich young ruler was an earnest seeker, but he did not see himself with any clarity. until a man or woman begins to know his or her own heart, he or she cannot begin to know God. True knowledge of ourselves, as Calvin says, leads us by the hand to the true knowledge of God.
We need to learn the wisdom of being indirect in our conversations when a person is not yet ready to hear a straightforward presentation of gospel basics… Not only the words He said but even the manner in which He said them was taught to Jesus by the Father.
We need to see the importance of the Law being understood before the Gospel is proclaimed. how can someone see the true significance of Jesus if he or she does not see his sin? As Jesus did with the Bible scholar, He sent this man away to learn that he was a sinner, so that he would return another day knowing his need.
We need to learn that for many people the idols of their hearts must be exposed before they can understand their need of Christ. People may think they are good, may think they serve God, until the secret devotion of their heart is uncovered. It was Jesus’ uncovering of his idol that spoke to this young man’s heart. Can we learn to help people see what governs the choices and priorities of their lives? This is a difficult task and one for which we need to ask the help of the Holy Spirit. He sees the heart’s secrets, and He can help us uncover them. But this work of wounding people must be done with love, just as Jesus loved this young man when He sent him away sorrowful.