The Rich Young Ruler: A Sobering Encounter with Eternal Truth
Among the most profound and challenging narratives recorded in the Gospels is the account of the rich young ruler. This brief yet poignant interaction between Jesus Christ and a sincere, earnest individual, found in Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, and Luke 18:18-30, serves as a timeless mirror reflecting the true nature of salvation, the deceptive power of wealth, and the absolute cost of discipleship. It is a story not merely about money, but about the heart's ultimate allegiance, revealing the impossibility of self-salvation and the glorious possibility of divine grace.
The Earnest Inquiry for Eternal Life
The encounter begins with a man of apparent virtue and standing. Mark's Gospel tells us he came "running, and kneeled to him," a gesture of genuine humility and earnestness. He addresses Jesus with reverence, calling Him "Good Master." His question, though simple, was profound: "Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?"
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
This young man was not a casual inquirer; he sought the most precious commodity imaginable – eternal life. His approach, however, betrayed a common misconception: that eternal life could be earned through human effort or good deeds. He sought a "good thing" to "do," implying a transactional view of salvation, a works-based righteousness.
Jesus' initial response challenged the man's understanding of "goodness," pointing him to God as the sole source of ultimate good. He then directed the man to the commandments, not as a path to salvation, but as a test of his self-perception and a mirror to his heart.
The Law: A Mirror, Not a Ladder
Jesus listed several commandments: "Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."
He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
To this, the young man confidently replied, "All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?" (Matthew 19:20). On the surface, he appeared blameless, a model citizen and a devout Jew. He had evidently adhered to the outward requirements of the Law. Yet, his very question, "what lack I yet?", revealed an inner disquiet, a nagging suspicion that his righteousness was incomplete or insufficient. The Law, in its true spiritual application, exposes the heart's inability to perfectly fulfill God's holy standard (Romans 3:20).
The Unveiling Command: "One Thing Thou Lackest"
It is at this pivotal moment that Jesus, "beholding him loved him" (Mark 10:21), and then delivered the penetrating command that exposed the true condition of the man's heart:
Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
This was not a universal command for all disciples, but a specific, surgical test for this particular individual. Jesus did not command all His followers to sell everything; rather, He pinpointed the idol that stood between this man and true discipleship. His "one thing" was his great wealth. His possessions were not merely assets; they were his security, his identity, and ultimately, his god. Jesus called him to surrender his idol, to renounce his trust in earthly riches, and to place his complete faith and allegiance in Christ alone.
The command to "take up the cross, and follow me" was a direct call to radical discipleship, a willingness to forsake all for Christ, embracing suffering and self-denial for the sake of the Kingdom. This was the true cost of eternal life, not in terms of earning it, but in terms of receiving it through absolute surrender and faith.
The Weight of Riches and a Sorrowful Departure
The rich young ruler's reaction was immediate and heartbreaking:
And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
His sorrow reveals the depth of his attachment to his wealth. He desired eternal life, but not at the price of his earthly treasures. He chose his possessions over Christ. This poignant departure underscores a critical spiritual truth: riches, when loved and trusted, become a formidable barrier to the kingdom of God. Jesus then turned to His disciples and uttered one of His most striking statements:
And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Jesus clarifies that the difficulty lies not in having riches, but in trusting in riches. Wealth often fosters a sense of self-sufficiency, making individuals less likely to recognize their desperate need for God. It can blind them to spiritual realities, leading them to believe they have no need of a Saviour.
The Disciples' Astonishment and Peter's Query
The disciples were "exceedingly amazed," asking, "Who then can be saved?" (Matthew 19:25). In their cultural context, wealth was often seen as a sign of God's blessing, suggesting that the rich were more likely to be favored by God. If even the seemingly righteous and blessed rich could not enter, what hope was there for anyone?
Peter, ever quick to speak, then raised a practical question, perhaps reflecting the disciples' own sacrifices:
Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?
Jesus reassured them of the abundant rewards for those who truly forsake all for His sake and the gospel's, promising "an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life." (Mark 10:29-30)
The Divine Possibility: "With God All Things Are Possible"
The core theological truth of this narrative is encapsulated in Jesus's powerful declaration:
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
This verse is the beacon of hope in a seemingly bleak story. It underscores that salvation is not a human achievement but a divine miracle. No one, whether rich or poor, can earn eternal life through their own efforts, good deeds, or adherence to the Law. It is impossible for man to save himself. But what is impossible for man is entirely possible for God. God can melt the hardest heart, open the blindest eyes, and free the soul from the grip of idolatry, including the love of money. Salvation is a gift of grace, received through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Timeless Truths for the Modern Believer
The story of the rich young ruler offers several vital lessons for believers today:
Conclusion
The rich young ruler's encounter with Jesus is a tragic narrative of a soul who valued earthly treasures more than heavenly ones. He came seeking eternal life but departed sorrowful, clinging to his possessions rather than embracing the radical call to follow Christ. His story serves as a stark warning against the peril of misplaced trust and the futility of self-righteousness.
Yet, in its sorrowful ending for the ruler, the narrative shines brightly with the hope of the Gospel: what is impossible for man is eternally possible with God. Salvation is not predicated upon our ability to keep the Law or to renounce all wealth, but upon God's gracious power to save those who, recognizing their utter helplessness, put their faith entirely in Jesus Christ. True riches are found not in earthly possessions, but in the immeasurable treasure of eternal life in Christ Jesus, our Lord.