What About Us?
Introduction
In our first article, the ruler asked Jesus how he could have eternal life. Jesus told him only God is good and prompted him to consider his own goodness compared to God’s. The ruler’s response showed that money, and not God, had first place in his heart. In our last article, Jesus issued the ruler with a challenge. Sell all your possessions, give to the needy, and follow me. This was too much for the ruler. Jesus showed the ruler was placing his trust in his own efforts and not God. It is impossible for men to enter heaven through works. But for God, nothing is impossible. He made the way for our salvation. The ruler has left Jesus’ presence. But, after reflecting on Jesus’ words, the disciples wonder, “what about us?”.
What about us?
Let’s finish this passage and examine Jesus’ words to his followers.
And Peter said, “See, we have left our homes and followed you.”
Peter is imploring Jesus to see that they are not like the rich ruler. They have given up their possessions and followed as Jesus commanded. The Greek word translated as “see” in this verse is idou (ἰδού); which is often translated as “behold.” Peter wants Jesus to take notice of their sacrifice. This could mean that Peter doesn’t understand what Jesus is saying. Perhaps he’s thinking, “Jesus said we can’t get into heaven unless we give up earthly thing, and we have given up everything. What does that get us?” But, if Peter understands our works do not contribute to salvation, he could wonder if their sacrifices mean anything. This is how Jesus responds:
And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, who will not receive many times more in this time, and in the age to come eternal life.”
Regardless of Peter’s motivation, Jesus is clear. God will bless you and you will receive eternal life if you will sacrifice for his kingdom. What is important is the motivation for your actions. Jesus does not promise riches or material blessing. Seeking only wealth, status, or safety makes you no different from the rich ruler. God wants us to trust him and be faithful to him.
Do not be anxious
This form of trusting goes beyond believing in Jesus for fire insurance; we must trust God for things we need. When we will leave behind earthly possessions and loved ones to follow Jesus, God will provide the things we need. Jesus teaches this principle in the sermon on the mount.
“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life? And why are you anxious about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. “Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
This passage comes directly after the verses where Jesus says you cannot serve God and money; this is no accident. Jesus knows how hard it is for us to trust God. He wants us to know that God is a good father who cares for his children. We may not have all the riches or power we think we need, but God is faithful to provide what he desires for us. He wants us to trust that he desires good things for us, even though it is difficult sometimes.
It is not impossible for someone with wealth or status to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus told us that nothing is impossible for God. However, God must be first in our lives. We must be willing to give up the things he has blessed us with if he asks us to; this is not trivial. I think most of us would respond like the rich ruler.
Conclusion
Jesus’ encounter with the rich ruler is not simply a story of a man who loves money more than God. Jesus challenges what, and whom, we define as good. Only God is good. We are completely dependent upon him for life and salvation. Our trust in God’s goodness must be more than belief. Our trust in God should lead us to take action. God is good, we are not, and we must trust in him.