80. Rich Young Ruler

[Pastor Ralph]

Please share your thoughts on one or more of the questions in this lesson. 

[hanks]

1. What does the Scripture tell us about this man? What do we know about him from his words, his manner, and his actions? (Feel free to include parallels from Matthew and Mark in your profile of the man.) 
We read that he is a ruler, probably a synagogue leader because of his interest in spiritual matters; a young man, probably about in his mid-30’s; and a man of great wealth. He must have been a person well respected in the community. On meeting Jesus, he bends down on his knees showing reverence, humility and sincerity. He errs by carelessly addressing Jesus as the “Good” teacher. He comes to Jesus to find out how he can inherit eternal life. The fact that he believes in life after death tells us that he was not a Sadducee; more likely siding with the Pharisees’ beliefs on eternal life, probably a Sanhedrin. He obviously was not aware of the fact that righteous acts are like filthy rags to God (Isa 64:6), since he asks “What must I do?” believing that eternal life is earned by doing good deeds. He tells Jesus he has kept all the commandments that Jesus mentioned, since he was a boy. But he still has his doubts about where he will be spending eternity - so he must feel that there is something he is lacking or missing. Jesus tells him that if he wants to inherit eternal life, he has to sell everything he has, and give it to the poor. Once he has done this, he is to follow Jesus. Mark tells us: “At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22). Initially he was so enthusiastic, but now he departed sorrowful and aggrieved, thinking that this requirement is too much and not fair. 
 

[hanks]

2. What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? What does this account tell us about Him? 
On every occasion when an individual came to the Lord Jesus Christ, He showed interest in them. And here with the rich young ruler, Jesus shows the same constant love, patience and welcoming. He listened as the rich man asked about inheriting eternal life. We know that the only way to enter the kingdom of God is through Jesus (John 14:6), Jesus loves us and invites us to come to Him, to be saved; for this to occur we have to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4). “Not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pet 3:9). So far in this gospel He taught us amongst many other things, that He is to be our first priority (9:59-60); that the cost of discipleship is high (14:27); that it requires our total surrender (14:33); and that we cannot serve both God and money (16:33). And so it is in this encounter, Jesus requires absolute trust, complete confidence, and total self-surrender to Him. He teaches us how to share the gospel with good people - those who believe in God and live decent lives. Warning us that wealth gives us a false sense of success and security, and when we are satisfied with ourselves, we feel no need for God. This is what He was telling the rich man, even adding “come, follow Me”. He will guide us and give us opportunities to respond, but He will not force us to come to Him. To follow Jesus demands radical surrender, and not the shallow levels of commitment we often come across today. And as we see, without this the rich man could not be expected to sell all he had and give the proceeds to the poor. 
 

[hanks]

3. Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small? 
It was most unusual for a rabbi to be called “good”; they were usually called “teacher”. Jews reserved the word good for God. “Good and upright is the LORD” (Psalm 25:8); “Taste and see that the LORD is good” (Psalm 34:8); “You, Lord, are forgiving and good” (Psalm 86:5); “Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good” (Psalm 106:1). This is the reason why Jesus asked the young man what he meant, for if he really believed that Jesus was “good”, then he had to confess that Jesus was God. But we see from his behaviour that he did not believe that Jesus Christ was God. For in the presence of Almighty God, he would not have spoken about his character and the law, and then refuse to follow Jesus giving up all his possessions. He would also have known that God sees the heart and knows all things. 
 

[hanks]

4. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man? 
The reason Jesus told the young man to sell all his possessions, was that He noticed it was the man’s possessions that were standing in the way of him attaining eternal life. Does Jesus require this of everyone? No, I don’t think so. This might be His will for some of us, but in general Jesus was saying we are to get rid of anything that has become more important to us than God. In the case of the young ruler, Jesus knew that the man’s possessions were the most important thing in his life, and that he was living a selfish life with no real love for others. This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go. 
 

[hanks]

5. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man? 
The reason Jesus told the young man to sell all his possessions, was that He noticed it was the man’s possessions that were standing in the way of him attaining eternal life. Does Jesus require this of everyone? No, I don’t think so. This might be His will for some of us, but in general Jesus was saying we are to get rid of anything that has become more important to us than God. In the case of the young ruler, Jesus knew that the man’s possessions were the most important thing in his life, and that he was living a selfish life with no real love for others. This young man was possessed by the love of money and he would not let go. 6. Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think? 
Jesus knew the heart and mind of the young man, and found that there was no love for his neighbour in his heart. So, Jesus told him “You still lack one thing”, this even though outwardly he had everything - riches, an outwardly righteous life, respect, and prestige. The man had everything but knew that he did not have eternal life - so he really had nothing. If he had really kept these commandments he said he had, then he would have sold all his possessions and distributed them to the poor. He only lived for himself with no regard for his neighbour or any real love for others - he did not love his neighbour as himself. Jesus was proved right when He told the man to distribute his wealth to the poor, he became very sorrowful, because he was very rich. Jesus had challenged the man to love God more than money and possessions, but he failed hopelessly. 
 

[hanks]

6. Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone?  
Nothing is impossible with the help of the Holy Spirit. God can take any person and remove their love of riches/money/material wealth, and by divine grace substitute it with the love for Him. There have been many wealthy people mentioned in the Bible, who belonged to God, Abraham and Solomon are examples, and down the centuries there have also been rich people who were true Christians. So, the rich young ruler could land up following Jesus without divesting himself of his possessions. This is of course only possible if his riches do not come between himself and his commitment to God. This is the same for myself and anyone else. We all serve our Heavenly Father by using our money/wealth/riches/possessions to bring honour and glory to Him. 
 

[Irmela]

1.  What does the Scripture tell us about this man? What do we know about him from his words, his manner, and his actions?

From the passages we find a very wealthy, devout young man (that would possibly be below 40). We are told he kept the law. He was earnest and sincere with his appeal. (He did not try to trap Jesus with his question).

He was a ruler. He was very likely looked up to in society. He could have been proud by his achievement. Yet he proved to be humble. 

He believed as the Pharisees did, in life after death. He fervently kept the law, as they did, but he was desperate to learn what he could do to inherit eternal life. The Pharisees believed that keeping the law gave you eternal life. This young man did not seem to believe that. He wanted to know what ELSE he had to DO. 

From his actions we know he was humble and desparate. He ran to Jesus and fell at His feet. (He, who was clad in the clothes of the rich, KNELT in the dusty road) 

He referred to Jesus as GOOD. Could he possibly have wanted to believe that Jesus was in fact the Messiah. Was he toying with that idea?

When Jesus said "sell all you have and give it to the poor, and come follow me", the young man's actions show that he indeed had another god (idol) in his life. He was grieved and sorrowful about this instruction from Jesus, and walked away. 

[Irmela]

2.  What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? What does this account tell us about Him?

Whenever someone approached Jesus, His actions (or the way He received or dealt with the person) were relevant for that or a similar encounter. 

Different encounters brought to mind are the woman at the well in Samaria; the woman (not an Israelite) who pleaded for her daughter) ; Zacchaeus; Nicodemus; the Lepers etc. Each one was handled according to the particular need of that encounter. 

Jesus stopped and listened to the young man. In Mark's account we are told, "Jesus looking upon him loved him."

When the young man called Him GOOD. Jesus pointed out that only God was GOOD. So if this was said in any way as flattering Him. Jesus ruled it out. If it was sincerely meant then the man needed to recognize that he was dealing with God. 

Jesus knew the young man was sincere in what he said, when he said he had kept the Commandments (in the way that the Pharisee's defined them this was so), those pertaining towards relationships with fellow man eg., honor your father and mother, do not give false testimony, do not steal, do not commit adultery, do not murder. These were not necessarily kept as Jesus spellt out in the Sermon on the Mount. 

Jesus then pointed out what was lacking. (Actually the young man had wealth as a god.) To sell what he had, give to the poor, you will have treasure in heaven. He is offering him wealth in heaven in exchange for wealth on earth (always Jesus speaks about the need and offers a way to meet that need). 

As Jesus' desciple or follower this young man would learn so much more. Jesus offered this option to him, by inviting the young man to follow Him. 

Jesus is not pushy. He offered the solution. The young man could accept or reject. 

[Irmela]

3.  Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small?

Hanks answer says it, stamped by Scripture. ?

The man wanted satisfaction (an answer) for a deep personal need. By calling Jesus 'good' he was in actual fact (unknowingly) addressing Him as God. If he had meant it with his heart, he would have followed the instructions Jesus gave him. 

It might seem trivial, but it is actually a big thing to refer to someone as God (unintentionally) in public. 

I think we are challenged to think our words through carefully before glibly saying them. We can find ourselves implying something we do not really believe. 

[Irmela]

4. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man?

Jesus knew the young man's heart. He knew what was standing between him and loving God. So Jesus was in fact answering his question. Love the Lord your God with all your heart. (you shall have no other gods before me) The young man's possessions were standing in the way of this instruction. They were his gods. That is what he loved, above God. (We cannot buy our way into the Kingdom of God) 

 

[Irmela]

5. How are we to generalize about "selling all our possessions"? What application does this have to us?

I think possibly it means to not cling to possessions or earthly things. Be willing to let go, i.e. to surrender. (Possessions must not possess or rule us. We must not be controlled by them). 

[Irmela]

6. Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think?

The poor cannot reciprocate. In this way it was not possible for possessions to get a grip on him again. He would have to rely on God as his source. 

[Irmela]

7. Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone?

Hanks answer says it well. 

All hindrances to following Christ, are to be laid down.   

[Old Jerry]

What does the Scripture tell us about this man? What do we know about him from his words, his manner, and his actions? (Feel free to include parallels from Matthew and Mark in your profile of the man.)

 

A. the Scripture tells us that the man is rich, he believes in the after-life, and he keeps the commandments.

 

What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? What does this account tell us about him?

 

A. We learn that Jesus want all of us is what I get from this encounter. This account tells us that the rich man loves his money more than God.

 

Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small?

 

A. By calling Jesus a “good teacher” he might have been looking at him as just another teacher. Jesus’ point is that only God is good. Jesus’ interrupting the man’s question seems like money is a small thing but it really isn’t. Money can take over your life.

 

Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man?

 

A. Jesus knew that his possessions had control over him and he wanted him to give control over to him. Jesus requires this of everyone.

 

How are we to generalize about "selling all our possessions"? What application does this have to us?

 

A. We generalize “selling all our possessions” to mean what ever is controlling us we should give it up and turn to God.

 

Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think?

 

A Jesus designated the poor to be the recipient of the man’s wealth because he knew that the poor could not pay him back.

 

Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone?

 

A. Yes, the man could have followed Jesus without divesting himself if turned what he thought was his treasure over to God. Yes, God is my treasure.

[Katy]

Q1.Scripture tells us that this was an earnest young man who was very wealthy. He thought that his entry to Heaven had to be earned in some way. He was unaware that all our righteousness act are like filthy rags according to Isiah! He was aware that despite his wealth spiritually he was lacking in some way. So he took the opportunity to come to Jesus and humble himself by kneeling down in the dirt and asking Jesus what he needed to do to get into Heaven. He was a man who believed in eternal life unlike the Sadducee’s who don’t believe in life after death. He had also lived a life of doing the right things.

Q2.Jesus uses this opportunity to try and teach the wealthy man that no one is good except God. Jesus also told him that despite him obeying all the commandments he still lacked one thing. Jesus told him to sell everything and give his money to the poor. Then he would have treasure in Heaven. We learn that Jesus is firm and straight. 
Q3.Jesus wanted to teach this young man that no one is good except God Himself. The wealthy young man needed to understand that our standards of goodness are very much different to the standards of God. Only God is absolutely good! 

[Katy]

Q4.Jesus told this young man to sell his possessions because He could see that they were getting in the way of the young man totally surrendering to Jesus. We are not expected to sell all our possessions if we are using them properly and not allowing them rule our lives. We are however to get rid of anything in our lives that we have put in God’s place. Only by taking it out of our lives can we dedicate ourselves fully to the Lord.

Q5.We must rid our lives of anything which takes God’s place. Or at least cut it back to allow us to spend time with God. I am thinking of things like work or family. We can use these to blame for not giving God the time and place He should have in our lives. We must balance our lives with God being given first place and the rest will follow.

Q6.By giving to the poor , they would benefit and the possessions would be gone. They are unlikely to be seen again. The poor would not be able to reciprocate the kind gesture!

Q7. Matthew 6v24. No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.You cannot serve both God and money.      Either we serve God by surrendering all we have to Him or we will serve whatever occupies us the most. 

[haar]

1.    What does the Scripture tell us about this man? What do we know about him from his words, his manner, and his actions? (Feel free to include parallels from Matthew and Mark in your profile of the man.)

The Scriptures tells us that the man was a ruler, very rich, humble (knelt down to greet Jesus) and knew and believed he has kept the laws.

But he exhibited the following:

i.             He was feeling spiritually inadequate hence the quest to know what to do to inherit the kingdom of God

ii.           Took sides with the Pharisees who believe in resurrection compared with the Sadducee who do not.

iii.           Believed that one earns eternal life.

2.    What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? What does this account tell us about him?

The encounter teaches us that Jesus does not take time in pleasantries but always just hit the nail on the head just as told the young rich leader the needed facts:

i.             No one is good except God

ii.           To go and sell all his possession and come back and follow Him- the way to eternal life.

iii.          Kingdom business is Jesus’ priority.

 

3.    Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small?

Question 2 answers some of my thinking.

4.    Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man?

Jesus told him to sell all his possession because that was the hindrance to following Jesus and thus eternal life. Money (wealth) corrupts and can be hindrance to eternal if not mastered. In most cases, we are mastered by money/ wealth.

Anything that will prevent us from eternal life should be yanked off. But this is a tough nut to crack and I need prayers so that I will be better than the young rich man.

5.    How are we to generalize about "selling all our possessions"? What application does this have to us?

6.    Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think?

They are the most vulnerable and needy.

7.    Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone?

Yes, if he surrendered his possession unto the Lord and did not allow them to take all his mind and time and also to use the possession to reach out to the needy.

Yes anyone can when one surrenders himself totally first to the Lord then use the wealth to serve the Lord.

 

[kreilly]

 

Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small?

I like Hank's answer that only God is described as good in the Bible. I never really thought about that.  It's so true.  When people are commended, it is for their faithfulness, not their goodness.  None of us is good, we are all sinners; hence, the need for Jesus' sacrifice.  Even though the man had worked really hard to obey the commandments, he still wasn't good.  

Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If not, why single out this man? How are we to generalize about "selling all our possessions"? What application does this have to us?

It isn't necessarily something Jesus requires of everyone.  However, I have not yet met the person who seemed to think it applied to them.  It seems we automatically fall back on the easy answer that Jesus didn't mean this for me.  But he clearly meant it for this man, so maybe we ought to examine ourselves a little more thoroughly before assuming it doesn't apply to us.  I live in a very rich country, and I have yet to hear anyone in a Bible study or sermon make the suggestion that possibly Jesus could mean for a person to take this seriously.  I once moved across the country and didn't take anything with me except clothes, shoes, and a bicycle.  I slept on an air mattress and hung cards up on the wall for decoration.  It was very freeing.  No time spent cleaning the house or taking care of possessions.  I didn't buy anything because I was moving back at the end of the year.  Jesus knows what he is talking about.  I struggle with materialism.  Sometimes, abstaining is what one needs to do, because possessions gradually begin to take hold of your life again.  It is like any other addiction.  

Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think?

Probably because they would benefit from it and God cares about the poor.  Also, he couldn't go back and reclaim it, as he might be tempted to do if giving to family members or friends.  Finally, we get a good feeling when being generous to the needy which changes us from the inside out. 

Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Can you? Can anyone?

No, I don't think he could.  We all have to give up whatever stands in between us and Jesus (that which we hold dear) whether it be possessions or something else.  We may not give it up physically but we must give up our emotional attachment to it.  Jesus must come first in our life.  He made that very clear.  We may continue to struggle, but we must fight the good fight.

[George L]

1. What does the Scripture tell us about this man? Rich and young. What do we know about him from his words, his manner, and his actions? (Feel free to include parallels from Matthew and Mark in your profile of the man.) He uses the word inherit, as in take posession of in hebrew thought. That is not receive the giftvof or harvest as a crop by effort. How to have ownership of/in eternal life.
2. What do we learn about Jesus from this encounter? He is exacting on his requirements. What does this account tell us about him? He requires obediance of what we are told to do to receive of the kingdom.
3. Why does Jesus challenge the man's seemingly innocent form of address: "Good teacher"? What is Jesus' point? Why does Jesus interrupt answering the man's question to make a big thing about something so small? He is not impressed with flattery. He does not allow recognition of persons status.
4. Why does Jesus tell him to sell all his possessions? He wants to inherit, take poessuon of heavenly here after. Is this something Jesus requires of everyone? If you want ownership on an ownership basis then you must eely only on the source of the inheritance. If not, why single out this man? This applies to everyone that wants ownership not grace.
5. How are we to generalize about "selling all our possessions"? We are not if we want inhertance, instead of gift or grace.  What application does this have to us? If we want ownership there is requirement to fully join the family. Not live worldly and think we belong to inherit as a legal right.
6. Why did Jesus designate the poor to be the recipients of the man's wealth, do you think? Who needs the blessing of posessions, those without them.
7. Could the man have followed Jesus without divesting himself of what he held dear? Yes but he asked for inheritance not grace. Can you? I would not attempt to. Can anyone? I have serious doubts that shiuld be attempted.