Luke 18:18-34 (Calvary Roads 4)

We have been going to Ukraine for ministry since 1996, shortly after the Soviets departed, leaving Ukraine in a terrible economic situation.  At first Ukrainians were eager to hear the gospel.  But over the years, as the economy has improved, that eagerness has receded.  Today there are more restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and less appetite for the things of Christ.  What happened in Ukraine has been true in the USA and the West for decades!

Today and tomorrow we will see this theme in Jesus’ teaching and in three men: a rich ruler, a poor blind man, and a wealthy, thieving tax collector.

·        The Rich Ruler, 18:18-23.

According to the other gospels this man was young (e.g. Mt. 19:20,22) which is interesting given his answer to Jesus, all these things I have kept from my youth.  He was also very rich.  And he was a ruler, perhaps in the governmental sense or in the sense of being from a prominent family.

We might have been quite encouraged for a man like this to come with such a question; but Jesus clearly sensed a problem.  Jesus’ first question (why do you call me good; no one is good but God) was not a denial of His deity.  Rather it was meant to reveal the man’s heart.  Did the man say this out of flattery or because he really understood the One with whom he spoke?

Likewise Jesus’ reciting of the various commandments (#6,5,7,8 and 4) was meant to reveal the man’s heart, as was His command to the man that he sell all and give the money to the poor and then come follow Him.  These are not words Jesus told to others; only to this man.  Remember that following Christ begins with self-denial and Jesus knew the heart issue (the idolatry) of this man.  And Jesus was right: the man could not let go of his wealth.

·        Jesus teaches on wealth and faith, 18:24-30.

Seeing the man turn away leads Jesus to comment on how hard it is for the wealthy to enter the kingdom of God.  The needle Jesus refers to some say is the small gate to the side of a large city gate that is too small for a camel.  Others would say to take it literally: it is impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a literal needle.  But the words of hope are that it is completely possible with God (as the coming story of Zacchaeus will prove).

Peter and the others had done what Jesus told the young man to do: they had left all their wealth behind to follow Jesus.  Contrary to the teaching of many, it is clear that Jesus did not promise them money for their faith.  We know this because these men did not become wealthy (cf. Heb. 11:32-38; 2 Cor. 10-12).  But He did promise a rewarding life, a 100-fold satisfaction of their souls, the very thing the young man turned away from (study this out in Ps. 84:11; 119:72, 162; 73:25-26; Hab. 3:17-19; Heb. 6:10).

·        Jesus predicts His suffering (for the third time), 18:31-34.

Given Jesus exchange with the rich man and especially with His disciples is it any surprise that He is lead to remind them again: we are going to Jerusalem and when we get there we will be treated like anything but men of wealth and fame!  The disciples still did not get it (v34).  Do I? Do you?  Following Christ is not about having an easier life and a good economy.  It is denying yourself and taking up your cross.