Young Rich Ruler

Welcome to Respecting the Word Podcast. Where the goal is respecting the Bible and its context and apply it Biblically to our lives. Scripture dictates scripture and God is soverign over all of creation. My faith is in Jesus and him alone and not myself. I’m your host Donnie.

So this podcast episode we will reading the “ Young Rich Ruler” to see again how Jesus witness to people. I will try to break down scripture so we can dig into the context. So lets begin with:

Mark 10:17-31 “As He was setting out on a journey, a man ran up to Him and knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone.

I kind of wonder when the man meant when he said “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Did he really believe he could “do” something to save himself like good works like keeping the law or giving money. He did think he was doing good by keeping the law because that is what is taught in the jewish tradition. The problem with Jewish law isn’t the ten commandments so much which can be but the jewish traditions they piled on top of God’s law. They had levitical law which was like a social law for the jews but that wasn’t enough for them. So a thought I have is this about the word“do” he mentions. Is he really talking about a “doing something” to gain salvation actually or is like a do repentance kind of thing? We can go either way with this. Anyways

So to get to another point in this conversation is also where Jesus is showing us to help prove to someone that they aren’t good themselves by giving all the glory to God. Everyone is good in their own eyes. Go to a prison and ask anyone and almost all will say they are a good person but Jesus puts us in our place. So the next verse Jesus shows him even more even though he lied by saying he kept the law but Jesus knew the right sin to pin him down.

“You know the commandments, ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’ ” And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.” Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.

A lot of people will say they quit something from their past but don’t realize when they quit sin from their youth they are still guilty. A rapist can say I quit raping when I was younger so I’m no longer a rapist to a judge and the judge will still send them to prison.

So this man loves the things of this world. He went away sad because the law shuts the mouth of anyone who thinks they areholy. We really don’t know the outcome of his soul. Going away sad is a possible good sign though. Jesus did say he loved him and Jesus loves his sheep dearly. The ones you love you would save and tell them the truth and the truth will set you free. He wasn’t happy about what he had to “do”.

So the law to the proud and grace to humble. The law shuts the mouth and brings the whole world guilty before a holy God. So have you been born again? How will stand before a holy God on judgement day? Have you repented of your sin? Have you lied, stolen, hated and lusted after someone? If you have you need to repent and put your faith in Christ to save you on judgment day.

So on that note go serve our God. Thank you for listening.