This story is found in all three synoptic gospels. Luke refers to this young man as a “ruler” – a likely reference to his being a ruler of a synagogue. His coming to Jesus caught the attention of all present – as is suggested by the introductory words “And behold” in Matthew's account.
This story is a timely classic because Christ's treatment of this young man defies the conventional wisdom of much of modern evangelism. He did not answer the straightforward question of this “hot prospect” in the way we would have expected. Instead He raised the issue of the Law in the face of clear New Testament teaching that men are only saved “by grace apart from works.”
Failure to learn from Christ here will produce false converts. Far from letting a fish “get away,” Jesus masterfully let him “fry in his own grease.”
This story has a sad ending. The rich young ruler came to Jesus for eternal life, but he left without it. Did he ever get saved? The Bible doesn't say, but it does leave a glimmer of hope. Although he “went away grieved,” he went away sobered. Jesus had given him plenty to think about. “With God all things are possible.”
Let us remember that every true conversion is a miracle. Then we won't be tempted to “dumb down” the gospel just to make it more palatable to sinners or to report greater numbers of salvation decisions.
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Bob Vradenburgh is the senior pastor of Friendship Baptist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina. He has spent 40 years in full-time Christian service: the first 20 years as a missionary and the past 20 years in the pastorate. Bob’s passion is the expository preaching of God’s Word,...
