A Good One

A Good One Matthew 19:13-26

Now, we start as a way of introduction by really looking at the end of our previous section. Jesus has just spoken about marriage and denying our flesh, then an interesting thing happens.

Good Teacher 16-22, Poor as folk 23-26

Matthew 19:13–15 (NKJV)

” Then little children (infants per luke 18) were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. ”

”14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” ”

”15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.”

So right after talking about marriage and avoiding sin, and then these kids come to Jesus because thats who He was. It was also tradition to take kids to elders for them to bless them.

The disciples rebuke, I honestly think they are thinking of Jesus words, I have go, have to die, have to rise again. This is heavy times.

This always reminds me of vagabonds - look at their logo. Its literally kids coming to Jesus. When we passed out toys for the Christmas - the biggest deal for the kids and their families, was that we laid our hands on their heads and blessed them. They smiled as big at that as the toys.

We always want to paint ourselves in, and Jesus does the same, but at the same time, Jesus says kids can be saved. The kingdom is folks who have done and can do nothing to save themselves, come to the savior to know Him.

Our goal is that everyone would come to Jesus. Many Rabbis, etc, considered children to be on the same level as dogs - until they could actual contribute to the family.

Jesus didn’t baptize any babies or even little kids. We bless as he did, and ask that they be dedicated to Christ. He also uses them as examples of simple, humble faith.

Luke adds, Luke 18:17  “ Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”” Mark adds Mark 10:15  “ Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.””

A kid accepts blessing like a kid accepts ice cream. instantly, overwhelmed, filled with joy, hopping like a crazy person. Dance folks, your eternity is secure.

Good Teacher 16-22

Matthew 19:16 (NKJV)

” Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?””

One came. One what? I would think a pharisee or just a leader in Jerusalem or one of the surrounding towns. Mat/Mark/Luke tell us he is young, rich and has lots of stuff.

Wow, Jesus has been preaching repentance from sin, etc. This person recognizes Jesus as someone different.

Good here is the normal greek word for it, ἀγαθε - agathe - of moral excellence.

as we do a simple reading I don’t know if the man is thinking Jesus is God, or just thinks He’s a good teacher. We know He’s both.

Matthew 19:17 (NKJV)

” 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.””

I guess Jesus is permitted to Juke, right? Someone told me once, God sometimes take what we say seriously. Jesus points out a truth here that a truly Godly man as this ruler will claim, would know.

no one is good but One. Psalm 25:8  “ Good and upright is the Lord; Therefore He teaches sinners in the way.” (I would note, the Way is a who not a what) you get that?

John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.””

So why would you call Him good? Actions or essence? Essence being what essentially is.

This man says essentially asks, what works can I do? How can I earn my salvation. But let me ask you this, is this what Jesus’ been preaching? Has he been preaching just follow the commandments?

Matthew 19:18–19 (NKJV)

” 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.’ ””

Which ones, lol. Is it the mixing of fabric? Etc? Jesus gives us the moral law but its more than that.

This shouts (turn to) Romans 13 to me, you know, thats a favorite of mine, when folks say we just need to love, Jesus is here is telling the young man ( describing love.

Romans 13:8–10  “ Owe no one anything except to love one another, for he who loves another has fulfilled the law. 9 For the commandments, “You shall not commit adultery,” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal,” “You shall not bear false witness,” “You shall not covet,” and if there is any other commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 10 Love does no harm to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.”

James says the same, James 2:8  “ If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you do well;”

Matthew 19:20 (NKJV)

” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?””

I wonder if jesus looked at him with slanted eyes. This guy just said he never sinned.

all have sinned Ro 3:23, so thats out. Its impossible for us to save ourselves because of our sinful acts.

Many think today that if they just perfectly follow the law, they will be saved. But the facts are this, Galatians 3:22  “ But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.”

Matthew 19:21–22 (NKJV)

” 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.”

now saying perfect - telios - τέλειος - means mature, whole, blameless.

two things, maybe three. to follow the “law” the 9, is how we love God and our neighbor.

Possessions are not blessings. To give it all away shows a mature blameless person.

to reach this still requires? Following Jesus.

This was devastating because like many, the man assumed it was his possessions that showed his approval. That said he was blessed.

but to give it all up, is to lose all he thought defined his life, his salvation. We do that with a lot. (Our favorite teams, schools, sexual proclivities, etc.).

As he walks away, every foundation he’s built destroyed, he despressed, sad, despondent that he cant do it.

Matthew 19:23–26 (NKJV)

” Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. ”

”24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” ”

”25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” ”

”26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.””

Why would Jesus say something like this? Let me ask, is it easy for a poor man? Maybe slightly, but only slightly. Its impossible under their own steam. Why?

Well, its impossible with men, Genesis 2:16–17  “ And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; 17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.””

I don’t know about you brothers and sisters, I surely sinned and was surely deserving of death. Surely, i expereinced his grace, Romans 5:12  “ Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned—” This isnt original sin per-se. This is that death is in the world because of sin, but we sinned and entered into death -

this is why Jesus had to come die for me. 1 Corinthians 15:21  “ For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead.” see, its impossible for me to 1 Corinthians 15:22  “ For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive.”

Humble yourself, come not in every answer, knowing how all things work. But in the simple faith of a child, receive Jesus as your Lord and savior. Become alive.