The Life of the Rich Young Ruler....

In all three of the Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke, we find the story of the rich young ruler...but perhaps Mark's telling of this close encounter with Jesus is the most perceptive and riveting version of this meeting. It begins as follows in Mark 10:17- 22:

 As he was setting out on a journey, a man ran up, knelt down before him, and asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”  

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone."

"You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

He said to him, “Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then, Come follow me.”   But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.

Let's begin to examine this meeting in closer detail as we begin to delve into the life of this rich young man. First off, he has, at some point, come to hear and know something about this wandering teacher and must believe in some manner that Jesus is divinely inspired and therefore, he must have the inside knowledge of what is needed to inherit eternal life. On this point, we can count him as being very astute; but Jesus wants to know for sure who he is dealing with in this encounter....a religious zealot or a true seeker of the truth? So to measure the young ruler's understanding of who Jesus is, He asks him point blank, "Why do you call me good?"

It is poignant to note that this wealthy young man is probably some type of local magistrate or religious ruler in the local synagogue; he is not a Roman citizen since he would never have addressed Jesus as "teacher" if that was the case. It is clear that Jesus wants to let him know that NO ONE, including this young man, can be considered good...for in God's eyes, GOOD IS PERFECT...and only GOD and His Son, Jesus, fit that description.

So, if the young man considers himself to be good, Christ tells him to obey the commandments.

In fact, in Mathews telling of this meeting in his Gospel, chapter 19; the young ruler actually ask Jesus, "Which ones?"...which is almost akin to believing that some of the commandments are more important to obey than others?  But Jesus, as always filled with love and compassion, names for him the commandments that deal with how we treat our fellow human companions...for we know that in Scripture, we are asked,  how can one love God whom they have not seen, when in fact, we do not love our "neighbors" whom we have seen?

Now, for me, here is where the young man begins to walk on "shaky" ground for he replies;

“Teacher, I have kept all these from my youth.” I have always questioned his answer to the Master, who knows all and sees all. It is here that Christ could have written this young ruler off and went on about his travels; but that is not the heart of our Savior. I am quite confident that Christ knew that the young man had not been as successful at keeping the Ten Commandments as he may have thought...and may have well breached the one that deals with giving false witness or lying. It is the next part of this passage that cuts to the core, for only Christ knew what was about to happen. It says in Mark's telling that Christ looked on him and...HE LOVED HIM!!!! Yes, Jesus loved this young man and wanted to see him come to a fulfilling commitment in a true loving and obedient relationship with Christ...something that Christ wants for each of us who are seeking to inherit eternal life.

Christ then tells him the one thing that he lacks...or as told in Matthew's gospel, Jesus says 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.”

Why did Christ say to him "If you would be perfect,".. simply put, because that is the only condition in which you may gain entrance into eternal life...either live a life of perfection adhering to each and every commandment (which is a complete and utter impossibility) or trust in Christ and His shed blood to make you "perfect" in the eyes of a true and holy GOD. Christ knew that the rich young ruler lacked the ability to "keep all the commandments" and whether he wanted to admit it or not, he had already failed in that endeavor...his only hope was JESUS.

So Jesus gave him an ultimatum; not a suggestion nor hopeful request, that when accomplished, would assure him of eternal life. Jesus called him out and told him to let go of what had already become an idol in his life...HIS GREAT WEALTH. The act of selling all his goods and possessions was not a way to buy his way into heaven nor a way to do something that would assure that God took notice of his so-called "goodness." Giving to the poor is GOOD; but it in no way makes you good!

No, Christ wanted the young man to see that his wealth was a stumbling block from serving God, and it would always stand in his way to be used by God in a true and meaningful way. In fact, it is the last part of the ultimatum that carries the most weight as we seek to claim eternal life for ourselves...COME, FOLLOW ME!

If we truly want to belong to God, to be called to be joint heirs with Christ so that we might receive the crown of righteousness, we must not let ANYTHING stand in our way ....be it WEALTH, FAMILY, CAREER, POSITION, FAME OR ANYTHING THAT WOULD SIT ON THE THRONE OF OUR LIFE...We must simply follow where Christ leads.

The last verse in each gospel that shares the story of this rich young ruler ends with the same sad conclusion ..."But he went away sorrowful, for he had great wealth."

What stumbling block stands in your way from following Christ? No matter what it is...IT CAN BE OVERCOME...with the help and support of a loving Savior! Don't turn your back on the one who gave His all so that you would not have to die a sinner's death and face eternal separation from your loving, Heavenly Father...don't leave your encounter with Christ and turn away just to hold tightly to something that will only erode and fade with the passage of time...don't let your life's story have the same sad ending as this rich young man.

In fact, come back again real soon  to hear two other stories that, with a little imagination, quite possibly involve this same man in his later years.....spoiler alert, it is not a pretty picture even then!

Until we meet again ...or stand inside the Pearly gate,

GOD BLESS YOU REAL GOOD...

WPQ