THE RICH YOUNG RULER

THE RICH YOUNG RULER

A very rich young man came to Jesus with a question.

"What can I do to receive eternal life."

(My paraphrase.)

This event is recored in Matthew 19:16 -----, Mark 10:17--

and Luke 18:18 ---- each giving some added details.

Lets note several things about this man.  One, he was

a young man.  Two he was a ruler, official or leader 

depending on the version you are reading and he 

was very rich.  In other words, HE HAD IT ALL.

He had even keep all of the laws and commandments

from childhood without breaking any of them.

I can't say that, can you?

But deep down, despite being a religious leader,

he knew something was missing.  He did not have 

the assurance that when he died he would go to 

heaven.  That is a concern all of us, if we are

honest with ourselves, have or have had.

It is obvious that being religious was not doing the

job.  So he wanted to know what he could do, or

perhaps how much it would cost, so he could go

to heaven.  I just love Jesus's answer.

"Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love

for him.  'There is still one thing you haven't

done,' he told him. 'Go and sell all your 

possessions and give the money to the poor,

and you will have treasure in heaven.  Then

come, follow me.'"

(Mark 10:21 NLT)

The man went away sad.  His wealth meant too

much to him.  And unless something happened

so he changed his mind, he is still in hell regretting

his choice to this day.

Most of us are not rich like that man was.  But,

what else is there that we cling so tightly to that

keeps us from following along with Jesus.  Wealth,

fame, pride, pleasure, etc. etc. etc.

We cannot earn or buy our way into heaven.

We must give it all up for him and then follow

Jesus if we expect to get there.