Lucas 18

Lucas 18

Clarke - And what were these (riches) in comparison of peace of conscience, and mental rest? Besides, he had unequivocal proof that these contributed nothing to his comfort, for he is now miserable even while he possesses them! And so will every soul be, who puts worldly goods in the place of the supreme God. For (term of explanation) he was extremely rich - The same adjective (plousios) is used in the parable of "a rich man" (Lk 12:16+). O, the danger of possessions! The power of money to deceive (Mark 4:19, Pr 23:5, Eccl 5:10-16, 14, 1 T 6:9, 10, 17)! In Luke 6:24 Jesus declared "But woe to you who are rich, for you are receiving your comfort in full." In Luke 16 Jesus tells the story of Lazarus and the rich man (Lk 16:19; 21; 22+) to depict the horrors of eternal punishment for the rich man. In Luke 19:1+ we meet Zaccheus, another rich man, and one who made no pretense at keeping all the commandments for he was a despised tax collector. But how different the destinies of these two rich men (Lk 19:9 versus Lk 18:23 -- assuming the rich young ruler never came to his senses. We will have to wait until we get to heaven to be certain!). Extremely rich - This is the first time we learn that the young ruler was rich, in fact not just rich but extremely so! Whether by inheritance or business acumen, he was at the top of the success ladder, having even gained this "prize" at a young age. But Jesus was ever looking at hearts (cf Jn 2:23-25, Jn 1:42, 46, 47, 5:42, 6:61, 64, 13:11, Lk 5:22, et al, cf 1 Sa 16:7, 1Ki 8:39b) and so He knew that his wealth was his spiritual "Achilles heel" which is why He made a frontal assault on this idol in his heart. Rich (4145)(plousios from ploutos = wealth, abundance, riches) is an adjective which defines that which exists in a large amount with implication of its being valuable. Rich is used most often in the NT in the sense of having abundant possessions and especially material wealth and was a frequent topic addressed by the Lord Jesus. On the other hand plousios is used figuratively in James to describe those who are rich in faith (Jas 2:5, cp similar use to describe the believers in Smyrna - Rev 2:9). Plousios is used frequently by Luke (11/28 NT uses) - Lk. 6:24; Lk. 12:16; Lk. 14:12; Lk. 16:1; Lk. 16:19; Lk. 16:21; Lk. 16:22; Lk. 18:23; Lk. 18:25; Lk. 19:2; Lk. 21:1 Sean O'Connell sums up Jesus' "strategy" to pierce the young man's armor of self-righteousness - “Have you really kept all the commandments? All of them? Every single one of them? Ever since you were young? Well, how about, ‘You shall not covet’?” He puts it this way: “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me” (Mt 19:21). Jesus calls him to perfection, “perfect” in the sense of keeping both tables of the Law. He is to love others, especially the poor (i.e., widows, orphans, blind beggars, and perhaps Christ’s followers), and follow (i.e., love first) Jesus. The rich man knew he lacked something. That is why he asked Jesus what he asked. But he thought whatever it was he lacked could simply be added to his life. But the one thing he lacked was a childlike dependence on Christ (Mt 18:17). So our Lord, seeking to bring this man to the point of such dependence, challenged this rich man to cut off his riches (“sell all that you possess and give to the poor”) and challenged this rich ruler to cut off his self-rule (“come, follow me”). Here our Lord demands not almsgiving (giving something to someone) but everything (give everything to others and everything to me). He demands everything. Give everything to others-love your neighbor. Give everything to Christ-love the Lord your God. Well, such a challenge was too hard, too impossibly difficult. The arrow of Christ’s command struck the young man’s Achilles’ heel. The weight of just the Tenth Commandment crushed him. This man who only moments ago knelt before Jesus enthusiastic and expectant now stood up, turned his back on our Lord, and “went away sorrowful” (Mt 19:22). Why? There is only one reason given: “for he had great possessions” (Mt 19:22), or we might rightly say, because great possessions had him. (See Matthew: All Authority in Heaven and on Earth - Page 549) I CANNOT FOLLOW SO FAR! ILLUSTRATION - A missionary poetess and mystic, Amy Carmichael of Dohnavur, described in her famous book Things As They Are sitting with a Hindu queen in her palace as the queen revealed her spiritual hunger. As the conversation developed, she kept pushing Miss Carmichael regarding what was necessary for salvation, and Amy attempted to deflect her, saying she should wait. But she was determined to hear it then and, as she insisted, I read her a little of what He says about it Himself. She knew quite enough to understand and take in the force of the forceful words. She would not consent to be led gently on. “No, I must know it now,” she said; and as verse by verse we read to her, her face settled sorrowfully. “So far must I follow, so far?” she said, “I cannot follow so far.”...(THE FOLLOWING QUOTE IS AN ADDITION FROM AMY CARMICHAEL'S BOOK) Then she looked at me again, and I shall never forget the look. It seemed as if she were looking me through and through, and forcing the answer to come. She spoke in little short sentences, instinct with intensity. "I CANNOT live here and break my Caste. If I break it I must go. I CANNOT live here without keeping my customs. If I break them I must go. You know all this ("queen" addressing Amy). I ask you, then, tell me yes or no. Can I live here and keep my caste, and at the same time follow your God? Tell me yes or no!" I did not tell her--how could I? But she read the answer in my eyes, and she said, as she had said before "I cannot follow so far---so far, I CANNOT FOLLOW SO FAR!" "Reverence for opinions and practice held sacred by his ancestors is ingrained in every fiber of a Hindu's character, and is, so to speak, bred in the very bone of his physical and moral constitution." So writes Sir Monier Williams. It is absolutely true." (Amy Wilson-Carmichael, Things as They Are ) That is, in effect, what the rich man said. He was overcome with profound sadness because he had so much money. He could not possibly bring himself to give it up. Dante referred to this as “The Great Refusal.” It was, for from there he became a wandering star—lost, haunted by what might have been.(From Kent Hughes with amplification of the original quote from Amy Carmichael's book) Steven J Lawson (from Men Who Win: Pursuing the Ultimate Prize) - Jesus saw through the outer facade into his heart. To the greed. To the materialism. To the worldliness. To the self-centeredness. What Jesus saw was a bankrupt heart. Empty and void. With the skill of a deft surgeon, Jesus cuts to the real issue of this man's heart: "One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess, and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." No, Jesus was not saying he must buy his way to Heaven. This man's problem was that money and power had become his master. His god. His life pursuit. Jesus was saying, "You must change ships in midstream and follow a new Master. I must become your new Number One. Reassign your life and all your possessions under My authority." Or it's no deal. This rich yuppie first looked at his money. Then at Christ. Back to his money. Then back to Christ. Which would it be? It was a moment of decision. Who would be his God? Money or the Master? The decision was cast. And money and power won. This young exec turned on his heels and vanished, leaving sad and grieved. His face fell, dejected. Why? Because he could not have it both ways. His money was too much to give up. Jesus watched him as he faded into the horizon and turned to His disciples saying, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!" (Luke 18:24). Yes, it is hard for the rich to be saved. Hard because they have more "things" to forsake. Hard because they have to stand in line like everyone else and receive a free gift. Hard because they are more tied to this world. Hard because it is hard to forfeit power and control. How hard? "For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God," Jesus said. Now, that is hard. Hard, as in impossible. Camels don't fit through sewing needles. Unless it is in the movie Honey, I Shrunk the Camel. It is impossible for anyone to be saved who wants to keep control of his life and money. Impossible. I-M-P-0-S-S-I-B-L-E! FALSE PRETENDERS When the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:22 All persons who are alienated from God and outside of Christ are part and parcel of a mighty deception! They are called upon to pretend that they can have peace of mind within and that they can be relatively happy and make a big success of their human lives if they have youth and wealth and morality and high position. In that sense of what is going on all around us, David never had to apologize for writing that “every man is a liar!” (see Psalm 116:11). The whole human concept of success and happiness and inner peace, based upon who we are and what we have, is completely false. The rich young ruler who came to question Jesus had wealth, morality, position and youth. But his very first question gave the clue to his own inner emptiness of life: “What good thing should I do, that I may have eternal life?” (see Luke 18:18). He knew very well that there is not a person alive who has eternal youth or eternal position or eternal righteousness. So, like every other man, he had to make a choice! Luke 18:24 And Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! KJV Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! He was very sorrowful (only in the KJV): Mk 6:26 2 Co 7:9,10 How hard it is for those who are wealthy : Dt 6:10-12 8:11-17 Ps 10:3 73:5-12 Pr 11:28 18:11 30:9 Jer 2:31 5:5 Mt 19:23-25 Mk 10:23-27 1Co 1:26,27 1Ti 6:9,10 Jas 2:5-7 5:1-6 Luke 18 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Luke 18:18-27 How Good People Get Saved - Steven Cole Luke 18:18-27 The Impossibility of Salvation, Part 1 - John MacArthur Luke 18:18-27 The Impossibility of Salvation, Part 2 - John MacArthur Luke 18:24-30 The Impossibility of Salvation, Part 3 - John MacArthur A SOBERING STATEMENT CALLING FOR SERIOUS CONTEMPLATION! He was very sorrowful - in the KJV he was very sorrowful (Young's Literal become very sorrowful). The NET Note explains that "The phrase perilupon genomenon "[When Jesus saw him] becoming sad") is found in the majority of manuscripts and it is not unknown in Lukan style to repeat a word or phrase in adjacent passages. However, the phrase is lacking in some significant manuscripts. The shorter reading is nevertheless difficult to explain if it is not original: It is possible that these witnesses omitted this phrase out of perceived redundancy from the preceding verse, although intentional omissions, especially by several and varied witnesses, are generally unlikely. NA27 places the words in brackets, indicating doubts as to their authenticity. Sadly this young man though sorrowful, did not have the godly sorrow described by Paul... I now rejoice, not that you were made sorrowful, but that you were made sorrowful to the point of repentance; for you were made sorrowful according to the will of God, so that you might not suffer loss in anything through us. For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Cor 7:9,10+) Comment: The Corinthians' remorse was not the sorrow of self-pity, of getting caught, of despair, bitterness, wounded pride, or manipulative remorse. Their sorrow led to repentance (metanoia; a change of heart and life; a turning from sin and unto holiness, perfectly pictured in 1 Th 1:9+ and 1 Th 1:10+), which produced genuine change. They were not defensive; they did not view themselves as victims or seek to justify their sinful behavior. Their sorrow was according to the will of God; it was the healing, transforming sorrow for sin that God intended for them to feel, because it produces repentance. (See 1 & 2 Corinthians MacArthur New Testament Commentary) Related Resource: What is godly sorrow? And Jesus looked at him and said (Matthew 19:23 says nothing about Jesus looking at the rich young ruler) - Mark 10:23 has "And Jesus, looking around (pictures Jesus turning from the rich man toward His disciples), said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” How hard it is for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God! (Mt 19:23, Mk 10:23) - Remember "to enter the Kingdom of God" in many contexts (such as the present) is the "code word" for being saved or receiving the gift of eternal life. Mt 19:23 begins with "Truly I say" (amen lego) which Jesus frequently uses (see above) to introduce a solemn teaching. Mt 19:23 substitutes "Kingdom of Heaven" for "Kingdom of God." Warren