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JESUS AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER (II)
TUESDAY, AUGUST 19
Mark 10:17-31

James 2:10

 

“…if thou wilt enter into life,

keep the commandments.”

 

JESUS AND THE RICH YOUNG RULER (II)
 
Jesus’ answer should have caused the rich young ruler to realise that, indeed, he was not good because he had fallen far short of God’s moral standard, and deserved death, not life. Sadly, he did not. He told Jesus, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” Jesus looked at him lovingly, and told him what he lacked, “Yet lackest thou one thing: If thou wilt be perfect, go thy way and sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he was sad, and went away very sorrowful for he had great possessions and was very rich. Although this rich young ruler said that he had kept all those commandments from his youth up, he was still far from being saved. God says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). The Tenth Commandment states, “Thou shalt not covet.” But this rich ruler coveted his money. He loved his money more than he loved Jesus. He would not surrender his life totally to the Lord to follow Him. Jesus had already said, “No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matt 6:24).
 
Indeed, God requires a man to be perfect in the law if he is to enter into heaven. Sinful man can never fulfil the law perfectly. Owing to his total depravity, he is an utter failure in terms of meeting the standard set by God. That is why there is a need for the active obedience of Christ. Since we are unable and incapable of keeping the law, the Lord must keep the law on our behalf if we are to be saved. Jesus had to fulfil all righteousness for man’s redemption. If only the rich young ruler had trusted in the righteous works of Christ instead of his own, he would have been saved.
 
THOUGHT: Jesus kept the Law perfectly for me.

PRAYER: Father, I thank Thee for fulfilling all righteousness for me.

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