Luke 18:15-30
Friday, 12 April 2024
“…..Whoever does not receive the Kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” -Luke 18:17
Today’s reading describes two separate but related incidents. Verses 15-17 describes Jesus’ response to the disciples’ attempt to hinder parents bringing their children, for Him to touch, pray and to bless them. Verses 18-30 is of the “rich young ruler,” who came to Jesus to learn what he must do in order to obtain eternal life.
There is a clear flow that ties these together: both deal with how men enter into the kingdom of God. In the first one, child-likeness is an aid, an essential element. In the second, being rich is a hindrance. Both the incidents described in our reading point to the character of those who will enter into the kingdom of God.
The present-day equivalent of the question the rich man asked Jesus would be: “Who are those who will go to heaven?”—which God’s children would agree, is a question of utmost importance. Such was its importance that Jesus could urge the rich young ruler to give up all his wealth to be added to the group that would enter into eternal life.
Nothing matters more in this life, or the next, than the things which Jesus speaks here. Jesus tells His disciples that men must receive the kingdom of God like children. Jesus did not say that men had to become children, but rather that they must become child-like, in order to enter the kingdom of God. In what sense must we become child-like? The answer is not so universally agreed upon, yet if we desire to enter into the kingdom of God, the answer is vitally important. Little children are dependent and trusting in nature—which are qualities vital for one to enter the Kingdom of God. Those who trust in Jesus for their righteousness and depend on Him for their salvation is sure to enter the Kingdom.
The rich young ruler thought he was doing everything right by keeping the commandments from his childhood. No man could keep the law perfectly, but even if he did, it would not make him worthy of the blessings of the kingdom, of eternal life. Jesus tells the rich young ruler “One thing you still lack…” (V.22). Jesus saw his heart and the love of money had taken the first place instead of God. Unless he could rectify that aspect, he would not have a right standing with God. He had to put God first in his heart above all else to be in right standing with Him.
Only Christ Jesus can give each of us a right standing in God. Jesus came to die in man’s place, bearing the penalty of his sins; also, to offer His righteousness- He is God’s only means of salvation (John 14:6). The problem of the rich young ruler would be solved only in Christ. What a contrast this passage puts before us— the little child, who has nothing to offer, who does not even have the will or ability to approach God— is our example, as to how we enter the kingdom of God. And the rich young ruler, who has virtually everything except God in the centre of his life—is typical of those who don’t enter the kingdom.
As for Jesus’ disciples, following and serving Him was not a work to merit God’s favor, but an expression of their faith in Him, and in His promises to provide for them. Possessions may not only keep a man from heaven, as they did the rich young ruler, they may also hinder one’s discipleship. Giving up things in this life for the sake of serving Christ may be sacrificial but nothing compared to Christ’s great sacrifice. Let us think more of the Lord’s sacrifice, and much less of our own. He rejoiced in the blessedness of giving up Himself for the salvation of lost sinners. What a Savior!
Prayer: LORD Jesus, help me to trust You- for You save and provide for my every need. Amen.