Learn from the Rich Young Ruler

"For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" - Luke 14:28.

The story of the rich young ruler (r.y.r.) is faithfully recorded in Matt. 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27, and Luke 18:18-27. Through this account, we gain insight into several profound truths, as well as warning and direction. We gain the composite description of this man from Matt. 19:20 (young), Luke 18:18 (ruler), and Luke 18:23 (rich); although all 3 accounts identify that he had great possessions.

In all 3 accounts, the r.y.r. addresses Jesus with the term, Good Master. When Jesus responds to this title with, "Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.", He is not denying His deity, but rather affirming it. Yet at the same time, He is discouraging undue respect of persons; for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Rom. 3:23).

But the ruler's approach is given even greater description in the book of Mark; it states that he came to Jesus running, and kneeled down. His manner of approach, and the question he asked of Jesus, reflect well on the concern which he had for his immortal soul; "Good master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" How many today ever take the time to consider this most important question?

Jesus then reaffirms to the r.y.r. the importance of the commandments, mentioning 5-6 of the more obvious external behaviour ones. The young man readily attested to the fact that he had long observed all of these things, but in Matthew 19:20 he adds the question, "What lack I yet?"This question is a great indicator that inwardly, he still knew that something was missing!

When Jesus responded, Mark 10:21 tells us that He (Jesus) loved him (r.y.r.). Here was a man honestly seeking after God, and righteousness, which evoked a response of love from the Good Master! Then Jesus verbally tells him, that if he would be perfect, he must sell what he has materially and give to the poor; assuring him that he will have treasure in heaven; then he must come, take up the cross, and follow Him (Jesus). In the story, you find these words in Matt. 19:21, Mark 10:21, Luke 18:22. Yet it is another reaffirmation of the cost of discipleship, as found in Matt. 16:24,25, & Luke 9:23,24.

It was too much; Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, had invited the r.y.r. to come and follow Him! What an invitation! But alas, he was  unwilling to pay the price for this priceless gift. The Bible tells us that he then went away, being "sad, sorrowful, and grieved." Jesus' response to this circumstance is well known to most of us; "A rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven"; "Children, how hard it is for them that trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!"; and "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!" And of course in all 3, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God." (composite).

The disciples' response at first might seem to be a bit perplexing. The Bible shows that they were "astonished", and "exceedingly amazed", as they asked, "Who then can be saved?" What were they thinking? The disciples were not rich men, nor was Christ, in the flesh (II Cor. 6:10, 8:9). The verses following this account, Matt. 19:27-30, Mark 10:28, and Luke 18:28 clearly show that indeed the disciples had left all to follow Jesus!

No, what the disciples were responding to was the upright character of the r.y.r. He was shown to be very God-fearing in behavior, loved by their Lord, and even invited to come along with them! There is also the chance that since he was a local rich ruler, that he was already well known to the disciples as a very righteous person. Don't we know those that are rich among us, and take note of their behavior?

Therefore the question posed by the disciples, and Jesus' response, are solidly applicable to all of us;

DISCIPLES: "Who then can be saved?"

JESUS: "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

Many, many of us are in the exact same position as the r.y.r.; we have a strong desire to know God, and a fundamental form of godliness (II Tm. 3:5), yet still we are aware of a "lacking" within ourselves, and so we search for more. There is a general "good" behavior, and therefore a following of the externally visible commandments, for the most part. Yet we are missing that which is of utmost importance; that greatest commandment which is internal in nature, spoken of in Deut. 6:5 & Matt. 22:37;

"And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."

So many times, I see those that approach closely to the cross of Christ, and turn away! The cost is simply too high. Someone has told them, likely a self-serving shepherd (Ezek. 34:2), that their lives are well- pleasing to God- and there is no need for further dedication.

Believe me when I say, that you do not have to be "rich" in your own eyes to be unduly possessed by the material things of this world! Jesus strongly warns us of this in the parable of the sower, found in Matt. 13:18-22, Mark 4:14-19, and Luke 8:11-14.

According to this parable, a number of things of general description can turn a believer away from Christ. That seed which falls in shallow soil, has no depth. Luke says that though they initially receive the word with joy, and for a while believe, that they fall away in time of temptation. Mark states that they fall when affliction or persecution arise for the word's sake. Matthew states that when tribulation or persecution arise because of the word, they are offended. This can be anything, brethren! At some points in your life you must choose to follow the Word of God, regardless of the discomfort it brings (II Tim. 3:12).

And then for those "seeds among thorns", these hinderances are called the "care of this world", "deceitfulness of riches", "lusts of other things entering in", as well as "cares and riches and pleasures of this life." These are all spoken of generally, but there are specific issues in each life that will fit them.

What is it in your life, that must be laid aside for Christ? Will you be as the rich young ruler, leaving sadly at the thought of losing your earthly goods, or status among men? Jesus requires us to make Him our LORD. Nothing, but nothing, is worth coming between you and Christ, and your eternal destination.

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was." - James 1:21-24.