by Bill Hall
But those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’
Luke 18:26
In that society the rich were often respected as the best of men. Christ’s hearers were shocked to hear that the rich class would find it hard to enter the kingdom.
Heavenly Father, thank You for revealing Your Truth to the least of us! Your mercy is truly wonderful. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
For it is easier for a camel to enter the needle’s eye than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.
Luke 18:25
Jesus is of course not saying that rich people cannot be, or should not be, saved. But great wealth often keeps individuals from the truth. We are all dependent upon God, but the wealthy are numb to their dependence.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us of Your care. You orchestrate everything. Nobody is outside of Your watchcare. I love You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
And when Jesus saw that he became very sad, he said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’
Luke 18:24
When we find ourselves contented with material things we tend to find our comfort in this life. Even if such comfort is an illusion, we hold to it as our confidence. The poor find it so much easier to trust the Lord from day to day because they see the dependence they have on others and can readily understand how that we all depend upon God.
Heavenly Father, I will look to You for all confidence. Only You can truly be trusted. You have the ability to meet every need. We are completely dependent upon You. Thank You for Your mercy, love, and goodness. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
But when he heard this, he became very sad, because he was extremely wealthy.
Luke 18:23
It is very important to understand what is going on here. This man really did want eternal life. And he really did believe Jesus could tell him how to obtain it. But, he was not willing to part with his riches for the sake of life.
This may seem ridiculous to us. But the fact is that people do this sort of thing every day. Anything that a person values more than Christ is the same as this man’s riches. It was not being rich that kept him from the Lord, it was an unwillingness to forsake all and follow.
The sorrow here is real. This man was very grieved. However, many will be in hell who are very grieved. Sorrow alone does not save anyone.
Heavenly Father, it is so important for us to put our hands over our mouths to stand in awe of You! When we think we have You all figured out, we have only obtained a new level of ignorance. Thank You for graciously allowing us to view Your Truth. May we live forever to enjoy Your beautiful and holy glory! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
When Jesus heard these things he said, ‘Yet one thing you lack. Everything that you have, sell, and distribute to the poor; and you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow Me.’
Luke 18:22
This sounds like two things! Why did Jesus say thean only lacked ‘one thing’? He lacked love for the Lord. With love, selling all and following Christ is a reasonable expectation. Without it, these things are incredibly difficult.
Many are easily ready to push through a religious formula, pray a prayer, or climb a ladder of good works. But complete abandonment of one’s own will to the Will of Almighty God, well that takes true love.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the Truth. It isn’t easy, but it is right. I don’t always like it, but it is always what I need. It doesn’t seem fun initially, but my joy grows forever. You are so wise, and Your will can be trusted. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
But he said, ‘I have followed all these since my youth.’
Luke 18:21
It would be easy to jump to the conclusion that this guy is overly self-righteous. But on the face of it, this may have been an honest answer. This man was very likely innocent of theft, adultery, and murder. If bearing false witness is specifically viewed as not lying about what someone else did, then he may have been ok on that score as well. And for the honor of his parents he very likely had done all that he had been taught was expected of him.
So was he good enough to go to heaven on the basis of keeping the law? No. The law sheds light on the guilt of ever person. Though this man may have been ‘pretty good’ all things considered, he was not sinless. This is why Jesus moves him on to the next step following the claim to have kept the law.
Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of praise for Holiness. Your are thrice Holy. Our petty attempts to be good are not of much value, but they can evidence our faith. We will live in Your way because we believe Christ is Your path to righteousness for us. Your glorious plan is our joy! Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
You know the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false witness, honor your father and your mother.
Luke 18:20
Jesus is taking it a bit further, starting with the law. Jesus is not suggesting that the law was going to get this man to heaven. But He was guiding the man to the idea that perfect righteousness is needed to enter into eternal life.
Heavenly Father, thank You for spending time on us. You do not stand aloof and uninterested. You are actively involved in our lives and really care about our true needs. Thank You! You are amazing! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
But Jesus said to him, Why do you call me good? No one is good, except for One, God.
Luke 18:19
Some point to this in order to deny that Jesus claimed to be God. However, there is no denial here. Jesus is, as was His practice, determining where this man was spiritually. He already knew of course, but this rich young ruler needed to make a public confession. Jesus was pushing him towards that.
Heavenly Father, what a joy it is to know You! I cannot begin to thank You or praise You enough for Your work in my life. I will spend my life seeking to know You more. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Now a particular ruler put a question to Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what do I do to inherit eternal life?’
Luke 18:18
This ruler asks one of the better questions ever put to Jesus. Though not completely clear at first, he is genuinely wanting to know the answer. And the ensuing conversation almost leads to his conversion.
Heavenly Father, thank You for another day to bring glory to You. There is nothing of greater value to my life than to understand Your role in it. You have made us, and Your creation is amazing! I am constantly in awe of my children and how You have made them. Life in Your will is full of joy. Thank You! In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.
Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a child, will definitely not enter into it.
Luke 18:17
Jesus is of course not saying that older people cannot be saved. But, people form their basic views about the world at a young age. The heart develops just like the mind. Those who reject Christ are also influenced by their childhood.
Heavenly Father, thank You for saving us from ourselves. You alone know what is best for us. We will look to You for leadership. In the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ I pray and praise You, Amen.