Four Questions

Matthew 19:16-30

Four Questions

The encounter between Jesus and this young man is recorded in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. When all three are compared we learn that this is a young man, a wealthy man, and a ruler.

The question is one that most people ask at some point in their lives. What is the one good thing needed in order to be confident about life after life?

In this passage we find several words and phrases used interchangeably that point to the same truth:

“Eternal life” vs 16

“life” vs 17

“be perfect” vs 21

“follow Me” vs 21

“the kingdom of heaven” vs 23; “the kingdom of God” vs 24

“saved” vs 25

“the renewal of all things” vs 28

“eternal life” vs 29

In order to understand the four questions being asked in this encounter let’s start with a definition of ‘eternal life/the kingdom of heaven/God, being saved, following Jesus.’

Simply: God’s rule over every part of creation.

In our fallen world (post Genesis 3) the evidence of God’s reign is seen most clearly in His interactions with people. Noah, Abraham and his descendants, the people called ‘Israel,’ and finally those redeemed that make up what the NT defines as ‘church: those called out by God.’

Ultimately God’s Word tells us that God is working in such a way that one day a new heaven and new earth will be revealed. This will be a world where sin is banished, where God’s presence is made clear and unmistakable. Only those properly related to God through Jesus Christ, made alive by the indwelling Holy Spirit will inhabit this place. All who are unrelated will be banished to an eternity apart from God’s presence.

QUESTION # 1

Matthew 19:16 HCSB

Just then someone came up and asked Him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?”

Is the eternal life, life in the unending kingdom of God gained by doing good works?

In a recent survey Lifeway Research found that “Six in 10 say everyone eventually goes to heaven, but half say only those who believe in Jesus will be saved. And while 7 in 10 say there’s only one true God—Father, Son and Holy Spirit—two-thirds say God accepts worship of all faiths.”

https://lifewayresearch.com/2016/09/27/americans-love-god-and-the-bible-are-fuzzy-on-the-details/

The young man’s question simply summarizes what many people have believed and continue to believe.

Jesus’ answer is important:

Matthew 19:17–19 HCSB

“Why do you ask Me about what is good?” He said to him. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked Him. Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself.

Is doing good - that is, living according to the Ten Commandments really the guarantee of the eternal life promised?

QUESTION # 2

Matthew 19:20 HCSB

“I have kept all these,” the young man told Him. “What do I still lack?”

Even the young man sensed that conformity to an exterior pattern of behavior wasn’t enough. There has to be more.

Again, Jesus’ answer is instructive:

Matthew 19:21 HCSB

“If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”

Look at the word ‘perfect/complete’ for a moment. At first glance we might think: Jesus is changing the subject. The young man wants to know about ‘eternal life.’ Here Jesus is talking about living as God intended us to live. The Greek word translated ‘perfect/complete’ means to live as God created one to live.

Being complete/perfect and kingdom living are the same thing. God created us to bear and reflect His image by ruling, subduing, populating the earth and extending His kingdom reign to every corner of His creation.

To live as a kingdom citizen for this young man required several things:

a). he had to let go any and all connections to earthly treasures

(see Matthew 16:24-26

Matthew 16:24–26 HCSB

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come with Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me will find it. What will it benefit a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will a man give in exchange for his life?

Then and only then would this young man be free to follow Jesus - which is to experience the fullness of God’s kingdom here and for eternity.

QUESTION # 3

Matthew 19:25 HCSB

When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?”

As in most cultures wealth is regarded as a sure sign of blessing. Even the disciples were susceptible to this falsehood.

If one who is blessed as this young man was can’t be assured of entering into life, then who can?

Jesus’ answer:

Matthew 19:26 HCSB

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

Here is a theme that occurs multiple times in God’s Word. What we cannot see as possible is more than possible with God.

In this brief exchange we see again just how differently Jesus and the disciples view God’s world.

The disciples are still looking at the outward expression of one’s life.

Jesus ignores the outward expressions and focuses on one’s heart.

Question # 4

Matthew 19:27 HCSB

Then Peter responded to Him, “Look, we have left everything and followed You. So what will there be for us?”

Peter’s question isn’t all that different from the one asked in vs. 16.

In vs 16 the young man wondered if he could ever be ‘good’ enough.

Here Peter wonders what lay in store for those who have followed, those who have laid aside the things of this world.

Jesus’ answer contains some clues as to what entering into eternal life would look like.

a). It will be a renewal of all things.

Although the word Jesus uses is unusual He affirms what Isaiah and other OT men and women saw:

Isaiah 65:17 HCSB

“For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.

b. The disciples will have a responsibility in the renewal

There is no further definition or explanation given. Those men who set the example by giving all to follow Jesus will have an assignment in the unfolding Kingdom of God

c). Matthew 19:29

“a hundred times more…inherit eternal life”

We need to remember that earlier Jesus promised that God indeed would NOW meet all our needs (see Matthew 6:33)

Matthew 6:33 HCSB

But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you.

If this is true here, how much more true it will be in the new heavens and in the new earth!

The real promise is in the last phrase:

‘they will inherit eternal life”

Eternal life is not just that which will be ours some day in the future.

Eternal life is the life we are given now as the Holy Spirit conforms us to the image of Jesus.

Eternal life is a life of abundance -perhaps not as the world understands abundance,

but in the assurance and confidence that whatever may seem impossible, whatever may seem out of reach is entirely possible through the active presence of God in our lives.

CONCLUSION

The questions asked in this setting call us to one over-riding challenge:

Entering into eternal life - here and now - is about engaging with God through His Son and indwelling Holy Spirit to expand the kingdom of God to the entire creation.

Yes, there will be a massive earth changing series of events out of which the new heavens and earth will come.

Until then, though, we are living as those ‘entering eternal life;’ those whom through God is extending His rule and reign:

as we share the good news of Jesus Christ,

as we align our lives, families, churches with the purposes of God;

and as we continue to daily respond to the call of Jesus to deny self, to take up our cross, and to follow Him