ENCOUNTER WITH JESUS: RICH DUMMY
March 16 , 2011
LUKE 18:22-23 - “22. When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy!”
THE STORY (Matthew 19:16-22; Mark 10:17-31; Luke 18:18-3)
Mark 10:17 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?”
Here’s a story of a man thirsty for eternal life. As a young rich ruler, he was no doubt an upstanding member of society. He was a good citizen by his own testimony in verse 20. He was probably loved by everyone he knew because of his social status. With all he had going for him, he realized he was missing something in his life. As Jesus was on his way, he also realized that this may be his last opportunity to have an encounter with Jesus. “What must I do to be saved?” he ask Jesus. He has been a law abiding, religious man all his life but in him Jesus saw a void. Jesus had love for him and didn’t waste time commending him for being religious. Jesus knew that there was one more commandment that he hasn’t mastered – “Love the Lord your God with all your heart…” Luke 10:27. Knowing this, Jesus ask him to sell and give his riches to the poor and come follow him. The young man who had such a sense of urgency just a few minutes ago and threw himself in front of Jesus was not somber and sad because he couldn’t imagine giving all his hard earned riches away just for his soul. He went away sad but more importantly left more lost than he was when he came.
WHAT LESSONS CAN WE LEARN FROM THIS ENCOUNTER?
· His story resembled that of Nicodemus who also was seeking eternal life.
· There’s no amount of good a man can do to gain eternal life.
· Keeping the commandments does not guarantee us eternal life if Christ is not in the center of it.
· In addition to being a good law abiding religious ruler, he knew Jesus had the answer to his question.
· He missed his chance on possibly being the 13th disciple.
· People make allot of spiritual sacrifices for money and power.
· Sometimes our mouths say we want eternal life but our hearts say only if we don’t have to give up certain things.
· God doesn’t always give us the answer we like but He always gives us the answers we need.
· The more religious we are, the more we think our religiousness can save us.
· If we’re serious about wanting eternal life than we must be willing to make the necessary changes.
FINAL WORD – WHAT CAN WE APPLY IN OUR OWN WALK FROM THIS ENCOUNTER?
In America
“…One thing you lack…”
Do you have anything, anyone in your life that is coming between you and eternal life? Is there anything you are not willing to part with in order to follow Christ? For some of us, it’s a person; for some of us, it’s a sin or a set of sins; for others it’s the pursuit of wealth and worldly things.
If you’re like the rich ruler and are asking Jesus what you must do to be saved, it’s gut check time. What do you have that’s keeping you from Christ?
Will you do as Jesus asks us to do - “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36) or will you go away lost and sad and lacking that “one thing”.
While we ourselves lack a thing or two to inherit God’s Kingdom, Jesus reminds us that all things are possible with God (Mark 10:27). If you feel like it’s impossible for you to leave that one thing on your own, come follow Jesus. He will make what’s impossible for you to accomplish on your own possible if you believe.
Next Week: On the Road to Damascus
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