The Rich Young Ruler Series

What are some of the qualities that our present-day culture put’s value on?

Our society values youth. The beauty industry capitalizes on the quest for the eternal youthfulness. They sell skin creams, facial packs, hair color and offer cosmetic surgery. It is all because people value youthfulness.

Another value is for riches. You will see programs on the rich and famous far more than on the poor and obscure. People think if they have riches that they will have it made.

Then there is power and position. People are highly seeking after these because they covet having the power and position. They seek power and position to have control over others.

All of these are highly valued in our society. If you combine all of these together then you would have the rich young ruler: Rich, Young, Powerful.

Read Mark 10:17-27

And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 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.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” (Mark 10:17-27)

The preceding passage in Mark 10:13-16 Jesus gathered the little children and blessed them and made an important spiritual illustration. If you are to become a Christian, it will only be done by childlike faith in the savior Jesus Christ.

When the rich young ruler comes to Jesus, we have a living example before the eyes of the disciples of the contrast. Here is someone willing to pay the price of spiritual discipline, yet someone who could not with childlike faith give his all to Christ.

Not only was he rich, young and a powerful ruler, he was so religious and devout. That is no small thing that he kept all the commandments and did not break any of the important laws of Moses. It is not enough to bring saving faith, but it is not small thing just the same.

There are three gospels that mention the rich, young ruler, and only Matthew tells us he was young in Matthew When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. (Matthew 19:22)

Jesus is about to leave on a journey when this man runs up to Jesus and kneels down. This is an unusual sight that in the Palestine heat a rich ruler comes running u to Jesus and kneels down before him. He asks a great question. He was asking the most important question about eternal life.

“Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17b)

This needs to grab our attention. We all need to know the answer to that question of what we must do to receive eternal life. This young man was asking the right question and he was asking the right person. He would undoubtedly receive the right answer and now we are privileged to the answer that Jesus gave.

Yes, he had riches, position, power but there was a void in his life. He has come to Jesus to fill a spiritual void in his life. He was desperate for the answer, so much so that he would run up to Jesus kneel and ask the question. There is no true meaning in life without the proper relationship with God Almighty.

He addressed Jesus with the title, good teacher. So before Jesus answers his question he asks this man a question. Why do you call me good.

And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. (Mark 10:18)