A simple question from the rich young ruler about eternal life gave Jesus Christ an opportunity to teach what it really means to be a Christian.
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke all record the famous conversation between Jesus of Nazareth and the rich young ruler in Judeo-Palestine. The significance of this encounter has been written about, debated and preached on for centuries.
Was Jesus teaching salvation by works? Is poverty necessary for eternal life? Was Jesus placing too high a standard or burden on the shoulders of a man who seemed genuine and sincere? What can this conversation teach us about the true nature of salvation and following Christ?
Who Was the Rich Young Ruler?
The Gospels of Matthew and Mark record that this man who came to Jesus was young and possessed great wealth. The Gospel of Luke adds that he was a “ruler,” which most likely places him within the Herodian dynasty.
Accordingly, this rich young ruler was probably a Hellenized Jew with great political clout, significant wealth, social esteem and a promising future. Yet this young man, for all his earthly prominence, wanted more. He wanted to live forever.
Impressed by what he had seen and heard of the itinerant Jewish miracle worker and teacher named Jesus of Nazareth, this young man decided to get the answers he sought. When the opportunity presented itself, he very respectfully presented himself to Jesus and asked the question that was at the forefront of his mind.
Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler
The nineteenth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew records the encounter as follows:
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “ ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
What Jesus Teaches About Following Him
When the rich young ruler came to Jesus asking what he must do to inherit eternal life, he was hoping for a different answer than the one he received.
When Jesus told him that he’d have to sell all he had to give it to the poor, the young man went away sad.
That Jesus called on the man to give up his wealth has been used by some to prove that salvation and eternal life are achieved by good works in this life. Others have argued that poverty is necessary for true salvation. Still others have said that, while poverty may not be required for salvation, this episode clearly demonstrates that renouncing all material wealth is required for true discipleship.
None of these conclusions is supported by the text.
Jesus introduces his teaching by first questioning the man’s choice of greeting. He asks why the young man calls him “good,” and points out that “no one is good,” except for God.
To prove this, Jesus turns the man’s attention to the commandments. The young man seems unable to grasp the entirety of the Mosaic Code and basically asks Jesus which ones are most important. Jesus provides a partial list, bolstering the man’s confidence. The man almost gleefully announces that he’s faithfully kept the ones Jesus mentions.
Then, Jesus cuts to the heart. He challenges the young man to give up his wealth and follow him. At this, the young man chooses his wealth over Jesus and goes away sad.
The Bible teaches that true salvation requires complete repentance and a genuine confession of Jesus Christ.
When a person is saved (by the grace of God through faith in Christ), the Holy Spirit takes up residence in the heart (Romans 5:5) and begins a work of regeneration (II Corinthians 5:17) and sanctification (I Corinthians 1:2; I Thessalonians 5:23).
This doesn’t mean that Christians are perfect or that they won’t go through periods of rebellion, doubts, or problems. Sanctification doesn’t mean perfection.
Sanctification means that God is working on us to move us toward perfection, toward holiness.
Yet a follower of Christ must be willing to commit themselves to this journey at the very outset. When Jesus called his disciples, he challenged them to forsake what they had and follow him.
This was the call he gave to the rich young ruler.
In the case of the disciples, most of them walked away from very little, at least in terms of worldly possessions. But the rich young ruler had much to walk away from, which is why Jesus says later in Matthew 19 that it’s easier for a rich man to pass through the “eye of a needle” than to enter the kingdom of heaven.
Is God Your Priority?
The price of salvation itself was paid on the cross by Jesus himself. And the New Testament makes abundantly clear that salvation is a matter of God’s grace. We don’t need to earn our salvation through works (whether those works be acts of service or acts of sacrifice). Nevertheless…
If a person truly confesses Jesus as Lord, won’t such a person want to serve Jesus? Won’t such a person desire to make sacrifices for God and to do great (or modest) works for Him?
Jesus was challenging the sincerity and authenticity of the rich young ruler. Many people are intrigued by God. Many are interested in, even fascinated by, what God has to offer. But not nearly as many are willing to say “I’m in!” And mean it!
The Bible does not record whether the rich young ruler ever changed his mind or regretted his decision. One can be assured, however, that this man couldn’t take his wealth, influence, or prestige into the next life.
Upon his death, he entered eternity, and the only thing that matters at that stage is one’s relationship with God.
The same is true for you and for me.
