The Rich Ruler (Luke 18:18-30)

There is an obvious contrast here between the rich ruler and the children in the previous section. For example, the disciples tried to hinder the children, but they did not try to stop the ruler. Jesus welcomed the parents and their children but while he loved the ruler he did not embrace him wholeheartedly but asked him very probing questions. Moreover, the children were obviously dependent on their parents whereas the ruler was capable of being independent of human help.

The ruler (v. 18)

Mark tells us that the ruler ran up to Jesus with his question, which indicates his eagerness at getting an answer. Having a man of such status in the community acknowledging the importance of Jesus would have been regarded as very important by the disciples because at that time they were keen on status. So far, there had been little sign that the ruling classes had time for Jesus. But here was a man who was different, or at least seemed to be.

What does the ruler’s question say about him? First, he believed in the reality of eternal life, that there was something beyond this life. Second, he did not believe that eternal life was automatically given by God – if it were, he would not have worried about what he should be doing; but he knew that it could only be given to one who deserved it. Third, he believed that Jesus would help him find eternal life, so he had approached the right person; probably he had heard Jesus speak about eternal life or had been told that he did. Fourth, he believed it was possible for him to get eternal life. 

Having mentioned those details we can see that there were two negative features connected to his question. First, he did not rate Jesus high enough. He was prepared to accept that Jesus was upright and a competent teacher, but his assessment was inadequate. Second, while he had too low a view of Jesus, he had too high a view of himself because he imagined that his own actions would bring eternal life to him.

The Saviour and the law (vv. 19-23)

The answer of Jesus to the eager young man focuses on three issues: what he thought of Jesus, what he thought of God, and what he thought of the ten commandments.

It was not the practice of Jews to address rabbis as good – that description was reserved for God alone. With regard to what the man thought of Jesus, it is worth recalling that Jesus had spoken of himself as good when he described himself as the good shepherd. Did the ruler think that Jesus was divine? That is the question that he is being asked. At the same time, he is being asked what he thinks about God. Is he good? The ruler does not answer that question. But the questions come to us.

Why did Jesus refer to some of the ten commandments here? Was the point of the selection to encourage or discourage the ruler? The ones that are mentioned have practical aspects, although we know that in the Sermon on the Mount Jesus gave such commandments a spiritual application. Is Jesus aiming to show the man that his strong points were not good enough for obtaining eternal life? We can see that the ruler was confident enough about his adherence to the commandments. He is similar in some ways to how the apostle Paul saw himself before he was converted. As far as onlookers were concerned he was blameless regarding keeping the law.

Yet, there is something more taking place. Presented to the young man is a legitimate way of salvation if he can do it, which is what he wanted. Jesus mentions the law in its capacity of providing righteousness if it is obeyed perfectly. Sadly, the ruler imagined that he had kept it. Probably he had in an external manner. But had he kept it from the heart, with the entirety of his being? How could this be discovered to him? Through personal application of the next instruction that Jesus gave to him about selling his possessions, giving the proceeds to the poor, and joining the group of disciples of Jesus and following him.

What did Jesus ask the man to do? Basically, he asked the ruler to put himself last, others second, and Jesus first. We can see that was the case from the three details that Jesus mentions. Jesus does not ask individuals to do exactly what he asked this man to do with regard to his wealth. But he does ask all would-be disciples to have the same basic outlook of Jesus first, others second, and themselves last. After all, what Jesus says here is in line with the requirements of the ten commandments which are to love God with all our heart, soul, strength and mind, and our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus revealed to the man that he was not keeping the law that he had imagined he was keeping.

What has happened to the man’s interest in eternal life? Jesus had told him about the possibility of a reward in heaven, but he now has no interest in heaven or eternal life. The choice came down to following his heart sins or following Jesus, and he chose to follow his heart. But that is what everyone does when they hear the gospel. Whether the response is yes or no, it is a heart response from them. Everyone chooses what they love. The ruler loved his wealth. He gave to it the place that should have been given to God. If he could only have one, then it would not be God.

Calvin summed it in these words: ‘This young man, who had brought both a desire to learn and modesty, withdrew from Christ, because it was hard to part with a darling vice. The same thing will happen to us, unless the sweetness of the grace of Christ render all the allurements of the flesh distasteful to us.’

The ruler’s main problem was not that he imagined he had kept some of the commandments in an external sense. His problem was that he had been continually breaking the first commandment by not loving the Lord with all his heart, soul, mind and strength. If he had done so, it would have been straightforward for him to show love to his neighbour.

The dilemma explained (vv. 24-26)

We need to remember that the disciples are still being instructed by Jesus about the doctrines and practices they were to follow when he returned to heaven. Here they had watched their Master deal with a nice self-righteous person, and the outcome had been that he had refused to become a disciple. What explanation would Jesus give to the disciples because they were puzzled?

First, Jesus says that it is very difficult for a wealthy person to enter the kingdom of God. He uses an illustration that highlights the reality. It is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. It is equally impossible for a rich man to enter the kingdom because like a camel he carries a lot of baggage. Of course, Jesus is not saying that it is easier for a poor man to enter the kingdom of God. But they don’t have the same baggage as a wealthy person. The poor have their own issues that prevent them coming into the kingdom of God.

Second, in response to the astonished question of the disciples, Jesus gives the obvious answer. Of course, the disciples should have known this answer already because this is not the first time that Jesus had explained to them how the grace of God works. The Lord enables people to trust in him, whether they are rich or poor. At the end of the chapter in Luke and in the beginning of the next we are given examples of this reality when he describes the responses of the poor beggar Bartimaeus and the rich tax collector Zacchaeus. It was the Lord that led both of these men to seek for Jesus in their different ways.

The recompense

Peter notes that the disciples had made a different response from the rich ruler. In a literal sense, they had given up what they had previously in order to follow Jesus. The verses here are concerned with those who are called by Christ to full-time service, perhaps as missionaries in a faraway place. Often, those individuals have given up the prospect of having a family life. Yet when they do, they will find that the Lord in his providence will provide whatever they need.

Peter and the others would discover that was the case, even although on many occasions life was uncertain for them. Yet the wonderful thing about Christian service is what they will receive in the world to come – eternal life.

The rich young ruler was not prepared to give up his all for Christ, and he will not have eternal life (unless he subsequently believed). If we fail to give up all for Christ, we will not have eternal life either.

Some lessons

First, it is not enough to say nice things about Jesus. The ruler thought his use of nice words would please Jesus, but he discovered that he did not do so. Jesus knew that the man was not using the word ‘good’ in a proper way. Similarly, when speaking about Jesus, we cannot use words falsely in order to create an impression because he always knows what is meant.

Second, if we wish to follow Christ, we have to count the cost. We have to place our earthly things in the balance alongside the heavenly riches that he offers. The real challenge of this story is not merely that the rich young ruler preferred his wealth to following Christ. The challenge is, are we letting something prevent us following Christ? After all, the cost of following Jesus is high; the cost of not following Jesus is much higher.

Third, it is possible to have a talk with Jesus and yet be lost in the end. This man did. Thousands, if not millions, have thought about the gospel and then failed to believe in Jesus. It is not approaching Jesus that saves, but adhering to him by faith and following him.

Fourth, it is also possible to perish through lacking only one thing, if that one thing is faith in Christ. The ruler had many attractive character traits, but they did not balance out his failure to believe in Christ. Religion does not save, civility does not save, morality does not save, intentions do not save. What saves is faith in Christ.

Fifth, if we wish to follow Christ, we have to identify with him, no matter who doesn’t. It would have been possible for the ruler’s example to have become known. What would he have said to others about Jesus? Perhaps statements like, ‘His demands are too tough.’ Actually, they are not. But they are demanding. As the hymn says, he demands my soul, my life, my all. Or as it used to be put, ‘If he is not Lord of all [in my life], he is not Lord at all.

Sixth, if we follow Christ, we will be provided for in this life and we will have a great eternity. Living with Jesus in this life is good and living for Jesus is enjoyable. But such is only a taste of the glory that awaits the people of God. We should not throw it away for a few meaningless crumbs.

Seventh, Christ is no one’s debtor. If we serve him, he will give us the kingdom, not because we have merited it, but because he overflows with abundant blessings. But we have to serve him.

I suppose the problem with the rich young ruler is seen by changing one word in a question. If we ask him, who are you living for, rather than, what are you living for, we will see his problem. And we might see our own if we ask those questions of ourselves.