But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With [human beings] this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Matthew 19: 26
Dear God as we come to You today. We come with grateful hearts; rejoicing in the reality that You are not limited by circumstances; that Your ability to save is unlimited. Amen
Today we are going to look at a Bible character that is familiar to many of us, the rich young ruler. I don’t know what your impression of this young man is, but I find him very likable. He approaches Jesus with much respect: “Good Master” he says, “what good thing shall I do…” he’s ready to do what Jesus tells him to do, because he wants eternal life. Jesus’ response is very interesting, “Why do you call Me good? There is only One who is good, and that is God?” I believe that Jesus was actually preparing Him for what was to come. “Are you just complimenting Me by calling Me good?” Or, “do you acknowledge me as God?” The difference in the way he answers these questions is vital. If I am just complimenting You to get on your good side, then it is all about me. If I am acknowledging You as God, then it is all about God. If there is an area, in particular, in our lives, where it should be all about God, it is in the area of salvation! It is a matter of life and death! If God is the One who does the saving then surely, we will do whatever He asks us to do!
When Jesus tells him what the requirements are he is overjoyed! “I have lived this way from I was a youth!” “Is there anything else I need to do?” Now comes his acid test; this will burn away all appearances, and the true motives will appear. “Well now, if you really want to reach Christian maturity, go and sell everything you have; give it to the poor, then come and follow Me.” He leaves the Savior’s presence, sorrowful.
What seems to be the issue here, his riches, or what Jesus means to him? The disciples were alarmed. If riches are an impediment to salvation, then who can be saved? For them riches were a sign of God’s blessings; and they surely can be. When the young man heard what Jesus said “he went away sorrowful: “for he had great possessions.” If the almighty dollar means more to us than the Almighty God, we have a problem. When we love anyone, or anything more than we love the Lord, that person, or thing, becomes a problem. He had come ready to follow Jesus; he left following his riches.
Remember when we studied about God’s promise to give us rest? What did the apostle John say about God’s commandments? He said: “His commandments are not a burden.” They are not a burden when we are keeping them out of our love for Him! Our love for God is an enabler! Jesus Himself showed us how to keep His commandments in John 14: 15, “If you love Me, you will obey what I command. ” It is really how we feel about Jesus that makes the difference! Was this young man, “from his youth,” keeping the commandments out of love for God, or out of obligation to a religious creed? His response to Jesus’ request seems to answer our question.
Any time we try to deal with our weaknesses in our own “strength” we will end up doing just as this young man did, leave the presence of the Savior, sorrowful. When we have a problem, we don’t want to be walking away from the Savior, we need to go to Him; salvation is found in Him. He can save us to the uttermost, because all things are possible with God!