PEOPLE ARE WANTING A SAVIOUR – NOT A LORD…
BUT GOD WILL ONLY BE SAVIOUR AND LORD – NOTHING LESS
LET’S EXPLORE THIS STORY FROM A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE
This seems to have been a rather unfair encounter with the rich young man – don’t you think?
Perhaps we might feel it was right that Jesus hit him in the pocket – where it would hurt
Perhaps we might nod our heads and agree that – fortunately God has dealt with us as far as riches and wealth are concerned
And we have no problem with money or wealth
But this story goes a little deeper than that
Jesus was not simply addressing this man’s issues with wealth
1. THIS MAN APPEARS TO HAVE COME FOR WISE COUNSEL
Did he think there was something missing?
It may well be
He knew what was required of him in terms of the Law – and was a model Jew, it seems – at least in his own opinion
SO WHY ASK THE QUESTION? “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Was he insecure? Was there a deep hunger for something more? I’M NOT SO SURE
Perhaps he needed some affirmation
Someone to pat him on the back and tell him “Well done!”
Someone of authority who would proclaim what a model citizen of Judaism he was
2. BUT JESUS SHIFTS OUR FOCUS
By shifting this man’s focus
He points to an issue – in this case, his wealth – and makes demands of him
He does not do it to embarrass this man – in V21 – Jesus looked at him and loved him.
Jesus saw into his heart – just as he sees into our hearts as well
In this man he saw all the potential of a person who might be dedicated to God if he was willing to have a Lord as well as a Saviour
NOW – when Jesus makes this demand – are we to suppose that Christ’s demand would save this man? By him giving all his money away?
NO! – Not at all!
He could give everything away – and still be in the same condition
This is typical of many “converts” they say the words of salvation – but their lives deny the presence of a Lord
CHRIST IS PRESENT AS SAVIOUR – ULTIMATELY - ONLY WHERE HE CAN BE PRESENT AS LORD AS WELL
What was going to ultimately work salvation in this man’s life - was the abandoning of self and trust in self, - the leaving behind of the things of this world
…Believing that it was going to be alright after he gave away every visible means of support in this world
Then to follow Jesus in complete trust – to be a disciple – a devoted follower and pupil of Jesus
3. NOW…WE SEE THAT THIS MAN WAS NOT LOOKING FOR A LORD – HE WAS LOOKING FOR A SAVIOUR
After Jesus makes this demand, V22 tells us that he was “SAD” – why?
Because he wanted a Saviour – but not a Lord
But you can’t have one without the other
4. HOW HARD IT IS TO ENTER THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
Look at V23-26…
"Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ’How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, ’Children, how hard it isb to enter 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 the kingdom of God.’ The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, ’Who then can be saved?’
Why is it so difficult? Simply because he was rich?
NO – because his riches provided him with enough security in this life to get by without a great deal of SUBMISSION and COMMITMENT
The disciples, we are told were amazed at what Jesus was saying
They were so amazed that they ask this puzzling question: “Who then can be saved?”
Why would they – people of relatively little financial standing - say this?
Because in Judaism riches were a mark of God’s favor and thus an advantage, not a barrier, in relation to God’s kingdom.
So – we can understand that if Jesus was eliminating those who possibly were “closer” to God – then what of them!?
This idea of wealth being a sign of great faith has always been with us – it seems
It just so happened that wealthy people lived in another zone – a place where Lordship did not feature very much
CONCLUSION
The issue is that being ‘saved’ and the idea of eternal life with God, is entered into now by accepting God’s rule in one’s earthly life.
For this young man, the one necessary thing he lacked was complete allegiance to God
Since wealth was his god (v. 22). He was devoted to it rather than God, thereby breaking the first commandment (Ex. 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me…”).
THIS IS AN ISSUE OF LORDSHIP
The issue is not so much the wealthy condition of people
It is how their wealth prevents them from submitting properly to Christ
BUT – JUST IN CASE WE SPEND TOO MUCH TIME FOCUSSING ON THE WEALTHY
This condition is the problem of those without wealth as well.
There are issues that prevent people from submitting fully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ
They have all kinds of reasons for withholding their complete dedication and attention
They’re very busy – with family, friends, work, hobbies, sport etc.
Do you know that if the aspect of JESUS AS LORD is missing from your relationship with God – then we will find it very difficult to do this one KEY THING:
What did Jesus say to the young man? Go and do those things – then COME AND FOLLOW ME
We are prevented from properly entering the school of discipleship with Jesus until we can lay down the very things that Jesus puts his finger on in our lives.
People want God to save him – NO – they demand that God save them and intervene in their lives
But they will not follow his commands
They will not fellowship with his people
They will not seek his face
But when trouble comes – they blame everything on God
But they have never entered into discipleship and come to understand what kind of service we are called to – since they have only sought a Saviour – without wanting a LORD
We are challenged to consider where precisely we are on this journey of knowing God?
