Yesterday morning I was reading through some scripture and came across a scripture that has often been a point of reflection for me - the story of the rich young ruler. This story is found in Mark 10:17-23 NIV, Matt 19:16-30 and Luke 18:18-30. Sometimes when I read a story and see that is in the other Gospels, I will go and read those versions as well, so that I get the full story, as sometimes they differ slightly. In this case, Mark's recollection includes one very important point that Matthew and Luke leave out, so we will use his version. Here is Mark 10:17-23:
[17] As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
[18] “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good---except God alone. [19] You know the commandments: 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.' ”
[20] “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
[21] Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
[22] At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. [23] Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
I have read many commentaries on this story, and they all bring up good points, but the tone thing that Mark adds, that I think is the key point of this whole exchange is the beginning of verse 21 - "Jesus looked at him and loved him." That statement should set the tone for how we understand everything about this story!
First, let me say that this is true of each and everyone of us! When Jesus looks at us, He loves us! Love is His primary modus operandi! Love motivated everything Jesus did! Love was the reason He came to earth (John 3:16). He is love! (1John 4:8)
When we read this story we must understand that Jesus was interacting with this young man out of His love for him. As we go back to the story, lets look at this from Jesus' loving perspective. The young man comes running up and fell on his knees before him - that is as close to worship as you can get, without an embrace. Jesus must have seen the eager zeal, the desire in the young man to be righteous. The young man was doing everything right, and Jesus questions him with a purpose to lead Him to the real answer of how he could achieve eternal life.
Some times people miss the whole point here, they think that Jesus was saying that he needed to embrace poverty to really attain eternal life. Jesus' next comments following this story have to do with the difficulty rich people have entering the kingdom, so we focus on the issue of wealth. However, if Jesus' main motivation is love, and He is leading the young man to the right answer - it has all most nothing to do with wealth or lack there of, and has everything to do with the actual invitation - to come and follow Jesus! I find that when people read this story, they stop reading verse 21 after Jesus says he needs to sell everything and give to the poor, and they miss the final sentence which is the one thing the young man lacks, relationship with Jesus!
No where else in scripture does the Lord speak about our finances or wealth in regards to being a key to eternal life! Jesus defines eternal life several times, and it is always about being in relationship with Him! If you do a study of eternal life in the Gospel of John - you will come across 17 different mentions of this theme. Jesus builds their understanding of this topic culminating in His final statement found in John 17:3 NIV: "Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent." The word translated 'know' is ginosko, and it is probably best defined as being in an intimate relationship. The actual definition describes gaining knowledge, understanding, perceiving, even sexual intimacy. In this context it is pointing towards God the Father and Jesus - and is speaking of the type of relationship one has.
Back to the story, the young man was doing the proper things, but the one thing he lacked was relationship with Jesus! That was the invitation! The release of the trappings of wealth was meant to free his mind and attention, but it was nothing more than that! Jesus saw in him the hunger and desire for understanding and laid the invitation to relationship in front of him, because Jesus loved Him!
Sometimes people read this and think that the giving away the wealth was some sort of requirement to be welcomed into relationship by Jesus. That is why verse 21 is so important. Jesus already loved him, before He ever said a thing about His wealth!!! Jesus didn't require the man to do something before He loved Him! He saw the chains of responsibility that this young man's wealth had around his heart, and was looking to free him from those chains! His comment about the young man's wealth was given in love, as one who cares deeply for another. Think of it more like an intervention for a loved one. Sometimes we need to hear hard things from those we love to help us get free of whatever is holding us back and limiting our future. In this case Jesus looked at Him with love and laid before him the path towards freedom and greater relationship and intimacy with Him. It was a real offer!
This is the choice that is before us regularly - the path towards greater intimacy and relationship with Jesus. We can choose to follow him, or not. We can choose to step free from the chains that bind us, or not. Jesus has all authority and all power, so if we need help stepping free He is there to help! His love for us is always there! His motivation is always the same - Love! He is always endeavoring to lead us to greater life in Him. John made this very clear in his first letter where he writes - (1 John 5:11-12 NIV) "And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. [12] Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life."
So, today I am encouraged to continue to press into knowing Jesus, the Father and the Holy Spirit - for there is where I will find and experience eternal life!
Amen!
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