What does Mark 10:27 mean?
This is the heart of the gospel. After the hyperbole of Mark 9:42–48 and the extreme expectations of Matthew 5:17–48, Jesus explains that it is impossible for us to inherit eternal life on our own. Only God can save us. Paul explains this more clearly: "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8–9).Jesus is not introducing a new way of salvation. Hebrews 11:1–2 says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not see. For by it the people of old received their commendation." The passage then gives a list of people from the Old Testament who were saved by faith. That roster didn't begin with Moses or someone else who had received the law. Rather, it started with Abel, from the second generation of people on earth. Everyone who is, has been, or will be saved, is saved by grace through faith.
Selfish and arrogant as we are, humanity still struggles to accept this idea. Jesus says it is difficult for the rich to trust God for salvation. Conversely, there are several cases in the Bible where despised criminals do have faith. Levi, the tax collector, becomes a disciple (Mark 2:13–17). Zacchaeus cheated those he collected taxes from, but happily pays them back after his conversion (Luke 19:1–10). The thief who was crucified next to Jesus acknowledges and embraces his helpless state (Luke 23:39–43). And Paul, who persecuted the church, gives his life spreading the gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 8:1–3).
Salvation is not restricted to those who grew up in the church, went to Sunday school, and tried to be good. It's easy, and all too common, to write certain people off as "too far gone," or "beyond hope." But God also offers grace to the vilest of people: the traffickers and rapists, terrorists and dictators. When it comes to salvation, there is no difference between the "good" person and the criminal (James 2:10). Any who come to faith in Christ can be forgiven and saved. Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but the sinners (Mark 2:17).
