Ep. 81: The Rich man

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MATTHEW 19:16-22, MARK 10:17-22, LUKE 18:18-23

As we near the goal, the wondrous story seems to grow in tenderness and pathos. It is as if all the love of the Master were to be crowded into these days; all the pressing need also and the human weaknesses of his disciples. And with equal compassion does he look upon the difficulties of them who truly seek to come to him.

He was stopped by a young man, a ruler, probably of the local synagogue saying ‘Master, what good thing shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’ The actual question of the young ruler occurs repeatedly in Jewish writing, as when it is put to a Rabbi by his disciples, and a variety of answers would all point to the observance of the Law. But, in Jesus’ reply, this was not the time for lengthened discussion and instruction, but rather for rapid awakening, leading to an earnest drawing towards the Master and real discipleship.

Jesus began with what was admitted as binding, the Ten Commandments, examining that which would be least likely to be broken, then progressing towards that which was most likely to awaken realisation of sin. What this ruler had seen and heard of him had quickened a longing for God and heaven and had brought him to the feet of Jesus. And he saw through to his soul, through to that question, ‘what lack I yet?’, far deeper down than that young man had ever seen into his own heart.

Edersheim describes the conclusion of this story:

‘One thing was needful for this young man, that he should not only become his disciple, but that he should come and follow Christ. He would need to part with all that he had, through willing surrender of all. But without forsaking there can be no following. This is the law of the Kingdom and it is such, because we are sinners, because sin is not only the loss of the good, but the possession of something else in its place. It was a terrible surprise, a sentence of death to his life. And so, with clouded face he gazed down into what he lacked within; but also gazed up in Christ on what he needed.’

This is an extract from the book, Jesus : Life and Times, available for £10 here (Finalist for Academic Book of the year at 2023 CRT awards)