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Author: Stephen Weller
726 words, 4 minutes read time

The Rich Young Ruler

Scripture: Matthew 19:17, 19-21; Mark 10:17-22

With this lesson we will begin our study of major section 27.

^{Mk 10:17} ‘And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”’

Jesus and his disciples continue to move about from place to place, teaching and meeting the needs of people. At some particular point, on today’s journey, a man runs up to Jesus, and maybe somewhat out of breath, kneels before him in respect and addresses him as “Good Teacher.” Only here and in Luke 18:18 is Jesus addressed as “Good Teacher” in the ESV translation. In Matthew 19:16, a parallel verse, the “Good” is not included and there was no mention of the man kneeling.

Addressing Jesus as “Good Teacher” he then follows with the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”

^{Mk 10:18} ‘And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. ^{Mt 19:17} If you would enter life, keep the commandments. ^{Mk 10:19} 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’ ^{Mt 19:19} and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”’

Since this rich young man (verse 22) addressed Jesus as “Good Teacher” Jesus responds with that perspective by associating “good” as a characteristic of God alone. Jesus perceives that this man believes he must do something to obtain eternal life; that is, he must do enough good works. With that perspective, Jesus says, “If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” To ensure that he understands what they are, Jesus tells him.

^{Mk 10:20} ‘And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth. ^{Mt 19:20} What do I still lack?”’

With pride the man informs Jesus that these he has kept from his youth. Knowing that “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18 ESV), we watch the man sets himself up with a question that will cause him to fall. He asks, “What do I still lack?” Having walked with Jesus along the gospel path for as long as we have, we know Jesus will say something that will either drive him away or will cause him to see his sin and need of repentance.

^{Mk 10:21} ‘And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing. ^{Mt 19:21} 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.”’

Jesus, looking at the man loved him as God did in John 3:16 and said to him that he lacked one thing that kept him from being perfect. Jesus knew that one thing was more important to the man than anything else and must be eliminated if there was to be room for God and the gift of eternal life. That one thing was his love for and his security in his great possessions. “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24 ESV). This does not mean you cannot be wealthy. It means you don’t keep your wealth for yourself, but that you are a good steward for God of his wealth.

^{Mk 10:22} “Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

As expected, the man was disheartened and went away sorrowful. To this man, the possessions of the world were more important that what God had to offer him.

Conclusion

The illustration of this lesson is so important for the western church because of a similar attitude to that of the Laodicean church: “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked” (Revelation 3:17 ESV). Because of their wealth, many ignore their need of salvation and many of those who are born spiritually live in spiritual poverty.