Lesson 4422

  

(Lesson 4422)(03-12-24) Luke 18:18-30 

“And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God. Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee. And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God's sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” 

 

Today’s quote addresses the danger of prioritizing earthly wealth over the riches that come by faith in God through Jesus Christ. A rich ruler asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus first reminded him of the commandments, to which the ruler claims to have observed from youth. Jesus then instructed him to sell all he had, to give to the poor, and to follow Him, that revealed the ruler's deep devotion to his wealth. The ruler became sorrowful, illustrating how material wealth can block one's spiritual journey towards God's Kingdom. Jesus emphasized the difficulty for the wealthy to enter God's Kingdom, likening it to a camel passing through a needle's eye. Jesus then clarified that what is impossible for mankind is possible with God. Peter told of the disciples' own sacrifices, and Jesus assured them that those who leave everything for the sake of the Kingdom of God will receive countless blessings now and, in the age, to come. This lesson teaches the necessity of letting go of earthly possessions to follow Jesus entirely, highlighting the value of eternal rewards over temporary wealth.~