The Rich Young Ruler

When I first gave my life to the Lord, I was a young, passionate kid with nothing much to lose. My discovery of Jesus, and His truths were absolutely the most valuable thing to me. In those days I could say in earnest, "God you are the greatest treasure!". Since those days, I've come to realize alot about myself that God already knew. Mainly that I will, and till the day I die, have to fight to know Jesus as my ultimate and my only absolute treasure, worth, and desire. Since those days as a young lad, I've "gained" so much. Much that I believe is even God's providence working in my life. A prestigious yet purposeful job, a beautiful and at times too valuable family... security and comfort that makes me at times, uncomfortable. It's lead me to becoming a person, who is less dependent and reliant on God. And thats why the story of the Rich Young Ruler becomes more real to me today then when I read it as a young college student willing to do anything for God. Not because I share many similarities in life to the rich young ruler (or maybe I do?), but because I feel like I have more insight into the emotion he felt as he walked away from Jesus... once a hopeful and now sorrowful being.

By all accounts, the rich young ruler approached Jesus in earnest and was genuine and respectful in his attempt to learn about eternal life. Though young, he was thoughtful and contemplative, not settling for absolute security in his position or wealth. He also probably lived a life of discipline that many of us would struggle to match. Yet the wealthy young ruler leaves disappointed and "sorrowful", not hearing the answer he wanted to hear, relegated to thinking that eternal life for HIM, was an impossibility. What is so clear to me, and also so relatable, is the condition, the emotional turmoil and struggle that the young ruler leaves as his heart is exposed... as his true desires are exposed. On the one hand Jesus teaches us Salvation is through Grace and through HIM alone. The young ruler had a works based mentality in believing that he had faithfully kept all of the commandments that Jesus inquires about. Jesus even in his explanation makes it clear that what is impossible for man is possible for God... alluding to the fact that salvation can only be gain through our Saviors justification.

But deeper still, Jesus shows us not only the gospel principle of salvation by Grace through faith but also insures that he leaves principles for our sanctification. Mainly the exposure of the young rulers heart. Jesus exposes the rulers idol of wealth... and in that, understanding the human heart, the human condition, the desire for security, for comfort, for happiness. The young man has everything one could want at that time... Prestige, respect, knowledge/education, wealth... he is upright in keeping the law and with it carries a sense of pride. He now desires eternal life... arguably desiring subconciously to be a "god" in his own right. It was probably the same temptation and deep rooted desire faced by Adam and Eve at the garden. It is ultimately the root of what initially separated us from God and what was reconciled by Christ on the cross. While greed and love of money is certainly one of the underlying issues, it is only a subroot to the deeper issue of self love. Of self idolatry. And ultimately our biggest problem. The young man loved his money, but money had only made him prisoner to what was a deeper disease. His love for self or his quest for happiness was more valuable than the trade off... Jesus. Reckless abandonment for Jesus. In the end isnt that mans and certainly my greatest struggle? Every anti-God group, or even the noble organizations that put mans worth above Gods... in the end we're all saying we are worth more than Him.

Jesus is saying, He HAS to be everything... that if our marriages were to fail, if our jobs and thus security (especially as a dad and provider) were to be taken from us... when the temporary things... the things of percieved "value" were to lose its value and the dust settled, that we would still be content in our union with God in Christ. That is a hard thing to say for "possession rich" and "spiritually poor" people like many who sit at church pews here in America. I realize I am one of those people and yet God is always faithful to deliver truth to counteract our sinful ways.

God will have no rivals for his throne or praise. Such was the story of Job who had to rediscover what it meant to have God and God alone as his ultimate treasure... Or David who had to learn through refinement that nothing on earth could take the place of God enthroned.