Who Then Can Be Saved?

WHO THEN CAN BE SAVED?

Luke 18:15-30.

1. Jesus blesses the little children (Luke 18:15-17).

People brought infants to Jesus for Him to touch them, but the disciples sought to turn them away (Luke 18:15). Sometimes church people do have this strange notion that ‘Church’ is not for children. However, the Scriptures NEVER exclude children. Jesus rebuked His disciples because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these (Luke 18:16)!

When Israel left Egypt, they took their children with them (cf. Exodus 10:9). When they gathered for worship, it was not an ‘adults only’ preserve, but an opportunity for ALL to learn (cf. Deuteronomy 31:12-13). After all, says Peter, ‘the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call’ (cf. Acts 2:39).

Further, if we do not receive the kingdom of God “like as” a little child we will “in no wise” enter it (Luke 18:17)! Jesus said to Nicodemus, ‘Unless any man will be born again, he will never see God’s kingdom’ (cf. John 3:3). Peter suggests that ‘like new born infants’ we ‘long for the sincere milk of the word,’ that by it we ‘may grow’ (cf. 1 Peter 2:2).

2. The rich young ruler (Luke 18:18-23).

The first three Gospels all report Jesus’ encounter with the character who has become known by the composite name of ‘the rich young ruler.’ They all mention that he was ‘rich,’ but only Matthew mentions that he was ‘young’ (cf. Matthew 19:22), and only Luke mentions that he was ‘a ruler’ (Luke 18:18). This young man came to Jesus as a supplicant.

The fact that Jesus is a “good teacher” (Luke 18:18a) had first appeared when Jesus was twelve years old (cf. Luke 2:46-47). To the supplicant, however, Jesus re-joined, “Why callest thou Me good? None is good save One, that is God” (Luke 18:19). This seems to imply that the young man was speaking out of turn, about things which he did not yet fully comprehend.

Now this man seemed to have had everything going for him: he was rich; he was a ruler; and, in his own eyes, he considered himself upright. Yet his question assumed that the only way that he might “inherit eternal life” was by “doing” something (Luke 18:18b). A popular misconception.

It may come as news to some, but an inheritance is not ‘earned.’ The Giver gives the Gift, and the recipient receives it!

The young man claimed to have kept all the commandments which Jesus mentioned (Luke 18:20-21). How little we know our own hearts. However, God knows them better than we do ourselves (cf. Jeremiah 17:9-10)!

For the young man, the one thing preventing him was his riches. Jesus put him to the ultimate test: Would he give up his riches for his poor neighbours? (Luke 18:22). This was too much for the young man to bear, and he went away sad (Luke 18:23).

3. With God all things are possible.

Then Jesus began teaching His disciples how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” (Luke 18:24-25).

Not that everyone who is rich is told to sell all and give to the poor (cf. Acts 4:36-37). While the riches are yours, it is up to you how you dispose of them. All the Scripture asks is that you listen to God and that you be honest with Him (cf. Acts 5:4).

“Who then can be saved?” asked the disciples (Luke 18:26). They were astounded: they obviously bought into the common culture which suggests that riches are a sign of God’s approval. Jesus’ answer was that “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27; cf. Luke 1:37).

Yet Peter, as the disciples’ spokesman, still wanted to draw attention to what they had all DONE (Luke 18:28). Jesus cut him short with the reassurance that whatever anyone has given up for the cause of Christ, they will “receive manifold more in this life, and in the world to come, life everlasting.” We find a new family among God’s people with God as our Father, and receive the free gift of eternal life besides (Luke 18:29-30).