RICH YOUNG RULER
The story of the Rich Young Ruler -- who came to Jesus -- is one of the saddest stories in the New Testament. -- It is a story with a tragic ending! It is the story of someone who could have become an outstanding follower of Jesus -- who might have become a real leader in the early church -- but he did not!
The
The story is recorded is all three of what we call the Synoptic Gospels -- Matthew, Mark, & Luke. Mark refers to him simply as "a man." Luke tells us that he was a ruler -- & that he was very rich. Matthew informs us that he was a young man. So he has become known as the Rich Young Ruler. He hastened to Jesus -- & asked the most important question of the ages! -- "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Let us read the account as recorded in Mark10:17-22 (NIV): --
As Jesus started on His way,
a man ran up to Him & fell on his knees before Him.
"Good teacher," he asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered.
"No one is good -- except God alone.
You know the commandments: --
Do not murder, do not commit adultery,
do not steal, do not give false testimony,
do not defraud, honor your father & mother."
"Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."
Jesus looked at him & loved him.
"One thing you lack," He said.
"Go, sell everything you have & give to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven. -- Then come, follow me."
At this the man's face fell.
He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
He asked the right question; -- he asked the right Person! He was given the right answer -- but he made the wrong choice!
Notice the contrast in the words of verse 17 -- & verse 22 -- vr. 17 -- "a man ran up to (Jesus) & fell on his knees before Him." vr. 22 -- "He went away sad." -- The KJV says, he "went away grieved." He went away sadly -- sorrowfully! He showed such promise in coming: -- he came running. He showed such sorrow in leaving: -- he went away sorrowfully. This rich young ruler was just not willing to burn his bridges behind him -- & move forward with Jesus! You can not read this story -- if you are a thoughtful person at all -- with out being saddened with its conclusion!
When he came to Jesus -- this man had a number of good qualities in his favor: -- he was earnest -- for he came running; -- he was humble -- for he knelt at the Master's feet; -- he was sincere -- for he asked the most important question any individual could ask in life: -- "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" This was no trivial talk -- this was serious business!
However -- we need to look much deeper at the character of this young man -- in order to understand the tragedy of his final choice! Four brief statements describe the character of this young man. With the Holy Spirit's help today -- lets think about these together: --
1. The Rich Young Ruler -- He was so Rich
& yet so Poor!
Verse 22 tells us that the young man had great possessions -- but that could just as easily read: -- "great possessions had him."
We can probably conclude from the way the young man phrased his question to Jesus -- "What must I do to inherit -- inherit eternal life?" -- that he had received his personal wealth through an inheritance! He probably had houses & land -- perhaps a thriving business -- & many servants in his household. He likely had fine clothing -- good food -- & many of the comforts of life. So from the material standpoint -- he was well to do!
However -- from the spiritual perspective -- the young man was poor -- yes, very poor indeed! He lacked life's most important possession -- that of eternal life! It is possible for someone to be rich in material goods -- but at the same time be spiritually bankrupt!
The opposite is also true -- a person may be poor materially -- but rich spiritually! -- To be rich in God is far better than to be rich in goods!
John Seamands -- who for many
years was a missionary to
Listen to me, my friends: -- to be rich in God is better than to be rich in goods!
The very next day -- John Seamands was invited for tea to a very humble Christian home. When he entered the house -- the host said to Seamands: -- "Sir, we have a very humble home; -- we don't have much in the things of this world -- but we offer you the best hospitality that we have. -- We are so glad to have you in our home." Then the man introduced to his wife, son, & two daughters. Seamands soon discovered they were all committed Christians -- serving the Lord in various ways. After some light refreshments -- the host asked Seamands to read a passage of Scripture -- & then lead in prayer. When Seamands finished -- he said to the father: -- "My friend, when I entered your home, you said this is a humble home -- & that you don't have much in material things. -- But I want to tell you that you are spiritually rich. -- There is so much love, faith, & commitment in this home. -- You are most fortunate to have such a fine Christian home."
As a pastor -- I have personally seen the same kind of thing over & over throughout the years of my ministry. People who are materially rich -- but spiritual paupers! I have visited in their homes -- those who are rich materially -- but poor spiritually -- & those who are poor materially -- but rich spiritually! To be rich in God is better than to be rich in goods.
The young man who came to Jesus was rich in body but poor in soul! -- What about you today?
2. The Rich Young Ruler -- He was so Good
& yet so Bad!
In response to the young man's question -- "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" -- Jesus quoted the Ten Commandments. The young man replied: "All of these I have obeyed since I was a child." He was a moral -- upright person -- who had kept the commandments. Certainly he was an acceptable member of the church -- an earnest observer of all that was moral & good.
But at the same time -- this young man committed the greatest sin possible -- for he rejected Jesus Christ! My friends -- rejecting Jesus -- is far more serious than the sins of laying -- stealing -- killing -- or committing adultery! For when a person rejects Christ & the salvation He offers -- there is no hope eternally!
Multitudes come to Jesus expecting Him to say: -- "You are a good & kind & decent person; -- we need you; -- come join the church." But instead -- Jesus says: "Repent! -- Turn from your wicked ways!" That is not what people want to hear today! The message of repentance has never been popular!
Our natural goodness is not enough in the sight of God. It is merely painted vice -- or like filthy rags in God's sight. Sin is heart trouble -- not just a skin disease! The young man had a good complexion -- but an evil heart. He was good according to human standards -- but he said "No!" to Jesus!
Righteousness is not something negative; -- righteousness is positive in nature! Have you ever noticed that all the 10 Commandments -- except one -- are negative in character? -- "Thou shalt not ... Thou shalt not." But Jesus came along & condensed the commandments into two great positive commandments. The first four commandments -- which have to do with our relation-ship to God -- Jesus summed up in the first great commandment: -- "Thou shall love the Lord your God with all your strength."
The next six commandments -- which have to do with our relation-ship with our fellow human beings -- Jesus summed up in the second great commandment: -- "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Did this young man live up to these two great commandments? Did he love God supremely -- above everything else? No! -- or he would have gladly bestowed his earthly goods to help the poor! -- Oh, how his heart was filled with greed! True righteousness is not negative -- not simply refraining from doing certain things! True righteousness is positive -- loving God -- accepting God's Son -- & serving people in need. The young man who came to Jesus was outwardly good -- but he was inwardly evil! -- What about you?
3. The Rich Young Ruler -- He was so Wise
& yet so Foolish!
We can say that the young man was wise -- because he asked the most important question anyone could ever ask: -- "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
You can tell something about a person's intelligence by the questions he/she may ask -- & by their conversation. This was no shallow or frivolous talk that the young man was engaged in with Jesus. -- He asked a deep intensely practical question!
Furthermore -- the young man did the wisest possible thing with his question. -- He didn't go to the rabbi -- or chief priest -- for an answer. He was seeking life -- so he went to the Lord of life Himself. Wise people know where to go for the right answers to their questions!
But -- in spite of all these traits of wisdom -- the young man was so foolish -- so very foolish -- in his response. He received the right answer to his question -- but then made the wrong choice -- & missed the way to eternal life. He wanted eternal life -- but he rejected the terms. The most foolish thing any person can do in life is to reject Jesus -- Who is Life itself! The rich young ruler thought that eternal life was a problem to be solved -- but discovered that eternal life is a Person to be received.
A man came to the famous evangelist D.L. Moody -- & said to him: -- "Mr. Moody, if you can tonight furnish me with a satisfactory solution to each of these questions -- I'll come back tomorrow night & give my heart to Christ." Mr. Moody replied: -- "No, my friend -- You're putting it the wrong way. -- If you'll come to Christ tonight & accept Him as your personal Savior -- & then return with your list of questions tomorrow night -- I'll answer them to your satisfaction."
The truth is not so much that Christ gives the answer to our questions -- He is the answer! When Jesus quoted the Commandments to the young man -- that was not the real answer to his question. Even if the young man could have kept all the commandments perfectly -- he still would not have found eternal life. Even when Jesus said to him: "Go & sell all you have & give to the poor" -- that was not the real answer to the young man's question. The real answer was when Jesus said to him -- "Come follow Me." (vr. 21). -- For he who has the Son has life! Eternal life is the result of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ!
The rich young man was so wise -- & yet so foolish! -- What about you?
4. The Rich Young Ruler -- He was so Near
& yet so Far!
The young man came close to Jesus -- but he did not open his heart to Jesus! -- There was geographical proximity -- but no spiritual relationship!
Many people in history have come close to Jesus -- but not close enough! -- Their heart has remained closed! Pilate got close to Jesus -- talked to Him -- questioned Him -- sensed His majesty! -- But in the end he went so far from Jesus! Judas got close to Jesus -- slept at His side -- ate at the same table -- traveled with Him -- even kissed Jesus on the cheek -- but in the end Judas went out & hung himself! The young man of this story came close to Jesus -- knelt at His feet -- talked to Him -- even found a way into Jesus' heart -- for the record tells us that -- "Jesus, looking at him, loved him." He was so loved -- but in the end so lost! He asked his question -- he received the answer -- then turned & walked away from Jesus! -- He did not open his heart to Jesus! He came running -- eager & excited. He walked away slowly -- sad & lonely -- still spiritually lost!
No one can come face-to-face with Jesus & then turn his/her back on Jesus -- & go away joyful! When we turn our back on Jesus & walk away -- we walk into darkness & despair! -- Oh, don't ever forget that truth! I will say it again: -- When we turn our back on Jesus & walk away -- we walk into darkness & despair!
Many -- oh, so many people today, are so close to Jesus -- but in their hearts -- so far from Him! They are members of the church; -- they have been baptized in His name; -- they know all about Jesus & His teachings; -- they can say & do all the right things; -- but still have no personal relationship with Jesus! They have not made that most wonderful discovery of knowing Jesus Christ in a real & personal way. They have never taken the final step of surrendering their lives to Christ. They are on the doorstep of the Kingdom -- but they have never entered in!
This rich young ruler -- he was so near & yet so far! -- What about you?
Conclusion: -- My friends -- the greatest tragedy in life is to come face-to-face with Jesus & then turn your back on Him!
The rich young ruler came asking the most important question in all of life: -- "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus gave him the right answer by saying: -- "Come ... follow me!"
But the young man "went away." -- He went away from divine forgiveness -- away from divine friendship -- away from divine fellowship. And to what did he go? He went away to utter disappointment; -- he left light for darkness. He left the Source of peace for continued strife; -- he left the offer of freedom to remain in bondage.
He came running -- but he went away sadly. He had come running in expectancy & anticipation -- now he walked away with a heavy heart! He had been confronted with the Pearl of Great Price -- but he would not pay the price to get it!
So the young man went back home the same way he had come. To the same old decency -- to the same old respectability -- to the same old way of living -- but now he could not be the same, because he had been face-to-face with Jesus -- & had refused His love; -- he had rejected Jesus; -- he would not open his heart to the Lord of Eternal Life!
Oh -- what tragic, tragic loss! -- He was so rich -- & yet so poor! He was so good -- & yet so bad! -- He was so wise -- & yet so foolish! He was so near -- & yet so far! The rich young ruler failed the one test that really would have led him to the heights of glory! Now sadness -- grief -- disappointment would haunt him even into eternity. Instead of eternal life -- he experienced eternal damnation! "It might have been" -- but it was not!
What a tragic story -- what a tragic loss -- what a tragic decision -- this rich young ruler made! Oh, my friends -- don't you make the same mistake he made! Jesus may be saying to some of you -- right here -- right now -- "Come follow me! -- I will give you abundant life here & eternal life forever!" Won't you come to Jesus today?! -- Come just as you are!
Pastor Lyle Pettit -- Wynne Chapel -- Cochise, AZ
www.wynnechapel.org