This morning we are going to look at one of the parables
I thought it would be interesting if instead of just me reading it through, we had some different voices.
1. How do I get eternal life?
Now a certain ruler asked him, �Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?�
Good teacher: very unusual address: flattering, expects a similar flattering reply, but...
Assumed he had to do something v.18, but when Jesus finally gives the answer in v.30 it is receive
2. The Cost of the Law
Jesus said to him, �Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.
You know the commandments: �Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honour your father and mother.��
The man replied, �I have wholeheartedly obeyed all these laws since my youth.�
why is the list restricted?
These are the 5 commandments about our outward relationship with others. (The most easily obeyed.)
has he kept them? yes, sort of, in an external way;
but why does Jesus not press the point??
because, as we will see in a minute, that is not what Jesus really wants
3. The New Obedience
When Jesus heard this, he said to him, �One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come and follow me.�
The old law said nothing about this—he has never heard anything like it!
Now we know that it is not wrong to be wealthy, so what is the issue here?
idol, heart in the wrong place, proud, conceited
We often overlook the purpose for selling everything -> so that he could follow Jesus
This is actually what it is all about
Here is this bunch of rag-tag disciples, fishermen, uneducated
This man is in the ruling classes—he could only join Jesus’ band of followers by humbling himself a lot!
4. The New Obedience is Impossible
But when he heard this he became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy.
Why is he upset: he loves his wealth, but something more,
what do you think he was hoping Jesus would say in reply to his question?
build a synagogue? Finance a campaign?
He wants something great to do.
Give up all status, and join the band of poor followers? No great work at all.
5. Parable of the Camel and the Needle’s Eye
When Jesus noticed this, he said, �How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!
In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.�
re-enactment of the Camel
Actually really was funny!
Is it actually possible?
There Attempts to weaken the story
Back in 1835, a man was exploring in Israel and someone told him there was a village where there was a little doorway...
Ah! So Jesus wasn’t trying to tell us it was impossible after all! just a bit hard
He wrote back to England to a friend called Farrar who published the idea in a magazine
Soon after that he investigated and found that in fact there was no such doorway
He wrote back home again, and Farrar published a retraction
but it was too late, the damage was done, and even now this false story turns up in Sunday school material
No, Jesus is talking about the impossibility, not the difficulty, (humanly speaking that is)
6. The New Obedience is Impossible, but Possible with God
Those who heard this said, �Then who can be saved?�
He replied, �What is impossible with men is possible with God.�
The bystanders understand this. There mentality was:
Rich men are able to build synagogues, fund orphanages, help the poor, support the temple, and fund many other worthwhile efforts.
If anyone is saved, surely it is they.
Jesus says that such people cannot enter the kingdom by such noble efforts.
We common people don’t have the wealth to carry out such noble deeds. Who then can be saved?
But here is the turning point in the whole episode: Miraculous intervention of God
7. The New Obedience
And Peter said, �Look, we have left everything to follow you!�
8. The Cost of following Jesus
Then Jesus said to them, �I tell you the truth, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of God�s kingdom
�Amen I say to you� (only 6 times in Luke, each time before a shocking demand or statement).
Old Requirements
New Requirements
Don�t steal other�s property
leave your own behind
leave neighbour�s wife alone
may have to leave your own wife
honour father & mother (care for them when old)
leave them in response to a higher loyalty
9. This is how you get eternal life
who will not receive many times more in this age—and in the age to come, eternal life.�
Ruler asked “What do I do?” (i.e. earn)
Jesus says it’s actually impossible to earn it
It takes a miracle, and then you will receive it
B: the Structure
Notice how Luke has arranged this story for us to emphaise the contrast between the law and Jesus
In ancient times it was very common for people to arrange ideas like this, in the same way that in our culture we use sub-headings and chapters
Usually in a structure like this, a new idea is introduced just after the centre, which changes everything
you can see it here...
So although the second half balances the first half, everything is altered by the new idea
(If you are interested in this I can give you lots of other examples from Scripture and ancient writings)
The key ideas are these:
Keeping the law is replaced by following Jesus
Jesus demands everything
This is impossible (unless God does it)
C: the Application
Did Jesus deceive people about the cost of his discipleship?
Some people think that the Christian life is about keeping some rules,
but no, it is about following a person
Which is easier?
Rules only affect areas of life that they touch
Jesus leaves no area of our lives uncovered.
What are we to do?
Are we to sell all that we have?
If necessary.
In the early church, there were times of great need, and many did exactly that!
Principally it is a mindset
Bank statement: “How much does God have in his account?”
Shopping: Shall I use God’s money to buy this?
The message is broader
Selling all you had was one example, but Jesus gives some others in v.29
“house or wife or brothers or parents or children”
(He is not telling us to walk out on our spouse! —but sometimes when a person chooses to follow Jesus and their spouse is unsaved, then the spouse leaves them because they don’t like Jesus.)
The principle here is that there are things that hinder us from following Jesus
Is there anything in your life right now that is hindering you from following Jesus with all your heart?
Maybe it is some sin
Maybe it is habits that you are a slave to
Maybe it is a wrong relationship
Maybe it is financial goals
Maybe it is your work
Are you prepared to leave it behind and follow Jesus
You say “I can’t do it!!!”
And that is where the camel comes in...
This is a promise!
Jesus wants us to follow him totally, with no distraction
He set us an example of leaving behind heaven!
We live in such a comfortable society
Went to the logging museum recently (...such a harsh life...)
Are you too comfortable to follow Jesus?
He will always push you out of your comfort zone!
Imagine the rich ruler, used to soft clothes, beautiful food and a warm bed thinking...
What is holding you back right now?
Even non-Christians often put us to shame
Anyone who is serious about training for a sport has to put everything into it
Dustin is at hockey camp right now (?).
What if he said to them “I’ll go on hockey camp, provided you don’t make too many demands on me
I’m not prepared to change my eating habits, and not too much exercise!
Is there anything that he is speaking to you about right now?
Let’s take a moment to stand in his presence
It is different for each of us
Ask him to change you, make you willing
“I can’t” —you are right—It is a continual miracle.
Maybe you are not following him at all
The ruler made a choice here. Are you going to make the same choice?