the rich young ruler

The Story of the Rich young Ruler


Matt. 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, Luke 18:18-27



I’ve heard numerous teachings on this Biblical Story, but wanted to add a few insights, which I believe are from God.

If you read the passages , a rich young man approaches Jesus, and either say’s to him “Good Teacher what can I do to inherit eternal life, or Teacher What Good thing can I do to inherit eternal life”….depending on which passage your reading.

One : the First thing Jesus say’s to the rich young ruler is “Why do you call me Good? No one is Good except God Alone” That actually sets up the whole rest of the encounter. Hopefully I don’t need to point out that Jesus DID NOT say he wasn’t Good….but it actually points out that IF He WAS Good …it’s because HE WAS GOD. The apostle Paul writes in the book of Romans:3 ( quoted from the Psalms) 10as it is written,

"THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NOT EVEN ONE;

11THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS,

THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS FOR GOD;

12ALL HAVE TURNED ASIDE, TOGETHER THEY HAVE BECOME USELESS;

THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD,

THERE IS NOT EVEN ONE."



TWO: Jesus Points to the Law. When the young man asks what things he should DO to inherit Eternal life…. Some may infer that by keeping the commands we will inherit Eternal life….but Again Jesus first words are telling….NO ONE KEEPS THE LAW(“NO ONE IS GOOD”) Romans 3:23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

. But notice when Jesus told him the commands at first…he leaves out the MOST IMPORTANT ONE……To love God with all your heart

So When the young ruler claimed to have kept the commands, Jesus told him to SELL ALL his Possessions and give to the poor.( and come follow him)

What Jesus was doing was Pointing out that HE really DID NOT keep the whole law….That the love of money was keeping him from keeping the whole law. It’s like the Pharisee’s who went around Judging others, and thinking they were keepers of the law… The LIGHT and truth of Jesus pointed out their own darkness, and sin. This Young ruler said HE was keeping the Law….but Jesus revealed where He too was failing. He neither loved his neighbor as himself, nor did he love God with all of his heart. 1 John 3:17-18 tells us 17But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him? Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.

IS JESUS just giving us a HIGHER law to do? OR is he revealing to Us how by the LAW, NONE Of us will be justified?(Romans 3:20)

That’s why by the works of the Law…..( it is impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom of Heaven) “ it’s impossible for men to be saved, but with God ALL THINGS are Possible……………..” ( Matt. 19;26)



WE NEED GODS GRACE, and we Need God’s SPIRIT !!!! Romans 3:21-24 21But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been manifested, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets,

22even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;

23for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

24being justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption which is in Christ Jesus;

And verse 28: 28For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.

Romans 8:3 3For what the Law could not do, weak as it was through the flesh, God did: sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and as an offering for sin, He condemned sin in the flesh,

John 3: 3 3Jesus answered and said to him, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God."

3:5 Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

6"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.

John 3:16 16"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.



I find it interesting that in other Passages Jesus tells us the WHOLE law is based on the two commands….Love God with all your heart, mind and soul, and Love your neighbor as yourself.( Matt. 22:34-40) Why didn’t he just tell this young ruler that instead , of the focusing on the other commands?

One thing that often troubles me , is how easily we ( Christians) toss around the word “love”… in particular saying how we love God. But when you get right down to the nuts and bolts of it….do our actions really back up our words ? In this passage Jesus has a way of getting right down to the heart of the matter. ( which really amounts to Idolatry in God’s eyes , the rich man has another god he cares more about …and that god is Money) Colossians 3:5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry.

Greetings

          Well,  this is my first Blog....so I just wanted to say Hello to anyone out there in cyberspace who may happen upon this here blogspot.  Welcome !!    Now I haven't the time to write anything pertinent ....but hopefully I'll have some things forthcoming.   Hopefully they will be thoughts worth pondering, and enlightening those who venture to read them.

                         until  then........Take care, and God Bless