The Rich Young Ruler

Behold, one came to him and said, "Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"

We humans seem to love to have a check list that we can tick off to see if we're on the right track and going to heaven.  Even Jesus gave this young man a list from the 10 Commandments which he should be keeping.  At this time, the Israelites were still under the Law of Moses as Jesus was not yet crucified and the Holy Spirit not yet given.

The thing is, under the law of grace, we don't do anything to gain eternal life.  Christ has done it all. We just need to accept the gracious gift of the cross. After Christ died, we were no longer under Law, the requirements of which were fully satisfied with the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross and His resurrection. Jesus sent the Helper and now we live not by the Law but by our submission and obedience to the Holy Spirit. We no longer need the check list of the Law, which Paul said leads us into bondage.

"But now rather you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, why do you turn back again to the weak and miserable elemental principles, to which you desire to be in bondage all over again?"

This does not mean that we throw out the 10 Commandments, as the wages for sin is still death, and for which Jesus fully paid,  but we now achieve them by the help and power of the Helper and not by our own strength. The word is very clear that Jesus became our sin so that we could become the righteousness of God in Him.  When we do falter, we have forgiveness in the cross when we repent.

There is nothing we can do to gain eternal life, except believe.

"For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed - a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as is is written: "The righteous will live by faith." Rom 1:17

The main message Jesus wanted to get across to this young man was about intimacy.  "Come follow me."  This is what Jesus wanted, fellowship with him.  However, the young man had affluence and riches that kept a tight hold on his soul.  It is interesting to note that Jesus did not quote the first four commandments in his conversation with the young man.  These deal with man's relationship with God, the awareness of who He is and our response that comes out that awareness.

If this rich, young ruler had recognised Jesus as the Son of God, Messiah, instead of just "good teacher", would have his decision been different?  He walked away from the One who is Eternal Life in favour of the riches that tied him to the temporal realm. He had his faith and trust in his riches and not in the Son of God.  Yet, in having an intimacy with the Lord Jesus, he would have found that Jesus would have been more than enough in giving him sufficiency of soul.

This story is in stark contrast to those in the early church who had this intimate relationship with their Lord and Saviour.

"All the believers were together and had everything in common.  They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need." Acts 2:44

I wonder, if facing the same predicament as the rich, young ruler, would I do the same? With all my heart I hope not.