June 1, 2023

And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

 

And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

 

Matthew 19:16-30

Devotional

When Jesus meets the Rich Young Ruler, the man put two particular questions to Jesus throughout their conversation. Today, we are going to discuss the second question that he posed. As a reminder, his first question was, “What good thing must I do to gain eternal life?” Jesus assured the Rich Young Ruler that there is only One who is good, and that only complete adherence to the law would grant him eternal life. With confidence, the Rich Young Ruler was certain that he personally had adhered to the complete law—to every single commandment. He asked Jesus his second question, “Which commandments?”

 

Jesus recited six of the ten, and the Rich Young Ruler said to Jesus, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus knew that what He had said had not penetrated the heart of the Rich Young Ruler. Jesus delved deeper to show him the root of his sinfulness—his idolatry. Jesus wanted him to see the true state of his heart and his dependence upon himself. Jesus told him to go and sell his possessions, give them to the poor, and to come and follow Him. With that, the Rich Young Ruler went away sad, because he had great wealth. For as Jesus says, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”

 

Do you have a question you want to ask God at the gates of Heaven? I do! I want to know if the Rich Young Ruler entered the Kingdom of God? Will I ever meet him? Scripture does not tell us. When he left Jesus, he was unwilling to give all he had and to follow Jesus. He had come seeking Christ, running to him, knowing that he lacked something, yet after his interaction with the true Christ he left, sad. Maybe down the road, having been exposed to his sin through the law, the Rich Young Ruler turned and followed Jesus. Oh how I hope so! His grace is sufficient.

For Reflection


What is your hinderance to obedience to God?

 

Is there something Jesus is speaking into your life that you are rejecting?

Prayer


Thank you, Lord Jesus, that we are justified through faith in you. You love, forgive, and save us not because of who we are or what we do, but because of the work of Chris in us. Keep our eyes fixed upon you—the author and perfector of our faith, so that we will not be hindered to throw off anything keeping us from living out your grand story of redemption in the world. In Christ’s name, Amen.

Rev. Deanne Townsend
Pastor for Family Ministries
404-842-5845