Rich Young Ruler - Transcript

Intro

THE BURNING OF BOATS

You could not go back

You could not have loyalties divided. Your only option was to conquer or to die

For many of us, we have been sitting with a perspective of faith that does not force us to burn boats.

In fact, we keep them as backup plans and just in cases.

Following the way of Jesus for many of us is a

WE WANT THE KINGDOM WITHOUT THE KING

On a basic level, we read a passage like this and struggle with the rich young rulers decision. Our 21st century mind immediately jumps to the end. For the men and women who are before Jesus, they don’t know how this will all play out. Many still think he’s raising up an army to fight the Roman rule in Jersualem and redeem only Israel. He’s also throwing statements in there about death which throws them off entirely. So when we read the narrative about a rich young ruler, it is a struggle for us.

Doesn’t he know who he’s standing in front?

Doesn’t he know the life that Jesus offers?

Doesn’t he know that this group of people will go on to establish the church and and what faith is forever?

It’s easy for us to miss this. The life that Jesus offers here cannot be fully understood in this moment. But nevertheless, he requires people to make a concsious choice.

THOUGHT 1 - THERE IS A SORT OF RECKLESS ABANDON WHEN FACED WITH THE CHOICE OF FOLLOWING JESUS

We don’t know how it will play out

It may garner you a life