ESOCS Devotional 9 March 2024 – The Dilemma of the Young Rich Ruler
MEMORY VERSE: ““For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:25
TEXT: LUKE 18:13-30
But the tax collector, [merely] standing at a distance, would not even lift up his eyes to heaven, but kept striking his breast, saying, O God, be favorable (be gracious, be merciful) to me, the especially wicked sinner that I am!
14 I tell you, this man went down to his home justified (forgiven and made upright and in right standing with God), rather than the other man; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted.
15 Now they were also bringing [even] babies to Him that He might touch them, and when the disciples noticed it, they reproved them.
16 But Jesus called them [the parents] to Him, saying, Allow the little children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for to such [as these] belongs the kingdom of God.
17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not accept and receive and welcome the kingdom of God like a little child [does] shall not in any way enter it [at all].
18 And a certain ruler asked Him, Good Teacher [You who are essentially and perfectly morally good], what shall I do to inherit eternal life [to partake of eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?
19 Jesus said to him, Why do you call Me [essentially and perfectly morally] good? No one is [essentially and perfectly morally] good—except God only.
20 You know the commandments: Do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not witness falsely, honor your father and your mother.
21 And he replied, All these I have kept from my youth.
22 And when Jesus heard it, He said to him, One thing you still lack. Sell everything that you have and divide [the money] among the poor, and you will have [rich] treasure in heaven; and come back [and] follow Me [become My disciple, join My party, and accompany Me].
23 But when he heard this, he became distressed and very sorrowful, for he was rich—exceedingly so.
24 Jesus, observing him, said, How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to enter through a needle’s eye than [for] a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.
26 And those who heard it said, Then who can be saved?
27 But He said, What is impossible with men is possible with God.
28 And Peter said, See, we have left our own [things—home, family, and business] and have followed You.
29 And He said to them, I say to you truly, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God
30 Who will not receive in return many times more in this world and, in the coming age, eternal life.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
Though all three synoptic gospel Evangelists captured this story and the desire of the Young Rich Ruler (YRR) to follow Jesus as the pathway to heaven, and though they all record his reverence for our Lord Jesus Christ calling him Good Master, it is Mark that records him as, “came one running and kneeled to him calling him Lord” (Mk. 10:17). By this, Mark fully brings out the passion that the Y.R.R. had for Jesus Christ and for heaven. Interestingly, it should be noted that not many rich men and rulers of his day cared to hear anything from one young Rabbi who came from Nazareth. Moreover, he was young, rich and an influential ruler. But how far would his passion for heaven carry him through the huddles of heavenly race?
Again, it is only Mark who records the reciprocal love of Jesus for him: “Then Jesus beholding him, loved him …” (vs. 21a). His passionate question to Jesus, “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” is followed by his reply to Jesus’ directive to go keep the commandments, that as one cradled in Judaism, he kept the commandments from childhood till date. Then, the stage was set for what would be his dilemma and that of every rich man who desires to make heaven: “Yet lackest thou one thing, sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven, and come follow me” (Lk. 18:22). At that point, the sorrowful expression on his face and his walking away led to Jesus statement that “… it is easier for a Carmel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” (v 25).
A dilemma is often described as a choice between two evils but in this case, a choice between worldly riches and heaven. Let us be mindful of the following lessons.
- Worldly wealth can be lost or corrupted in one day, but treasures stored up in heaven are eternal and everlasting (Matt. 6:19-20).
- No wealth on earth is too great to sacrifice for a small room in heaven. No, not even a 50-floor sky scraper, which 3-4 Russian missiles can lay flat in 10 minutes.
- None of your towering buildings, jet planes, nor industries will find a place in heaven. How well you invest your incomes, therefore, into the kingdom of God and impact lives of the poor could better your chances of being a citizen of the Kingdom of Heaven.
- What shall it profit you if you gain the whole world and lose your own soul? And what can you give in exchange for your soul? Absolutely nothing in this world equates with the salvation of your soul and a place in Heaven.
- The wise choice to make is Heaven, and what it entails is to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Christ Jesus (Mk. 8:34).
- Not how long you have been in the church that matters but your commitment to follow Jesus Christ.
- Two tables are set before you: Wealth and life. Make your choice.
- Father Lord, I pray thee, help me at every point in my life to choose right and serve you with all my heart, soul and possessions, in Jesus name.
Further Reading: Mark 8:34-38
ESOCS Devotional 9 March 2024
