01/04/2019 - THE SEARCH OF A CERTAIN RULER

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Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18

One of the beautiful moments of Jesus’ ministry was when He rebuked the disciples who kept the little children from coming to Him to be blessed (verse 16). At that moment a young man was watching everything and he was moved, but he did not pay attention to the fact that the Master said that anyone who did not receive the Kingdom of God as a little one would never enter it (verse 17). This rich young man came close to Christ and asked what he had to do to inherit eternal life.

The answer had been given, but he did not comply with it. The Master told him about keeping the commandments, quoting the key precepts, from which other lesser ones descend. If he had the simplicity of a child, he would be able to meet what the Lord had said: he should have sold everything he had accumulated and given it to the poor, and then follow Him (verses 20-22). The love for money prevents many from being saved.

Christ asked the young rich man why he called Him good. Now, being God, Jesus spoke on behalf of the preachers in His sermons, telling them to sell what they had, give it to the poor and to follow Him. Since that a young rich man was bound to money, he refused the Word from God to make his possessions available. If he had obeyed, he could have become a preacher, or an honest and righteous authority, which would be rewarded for all eternity.

The same mistake has been made by many people who do not have the courage to give up what they consider their insurance for the coming days. This is how judges, doctors and millionaires have been acting. They want to be saved, but they do not entrust the Lord with the direction of their lives. To say no to God now means not to be accepted into the Kingdom that has called you to be a loyal servant.

The wealthy boy understood only a part of the commandments mentioned by Jesus. He did not realize his error and committed adultery with the devil, who convinced him that it was not the Lord speaking to him about selling his possessions  and giving that money to the poor. He stole God´s right to choose who would serve Him in this life, he bear a bad testimony and did not honor the Father (the Lord) and the Mother (the Church), who generated him in Christ. He assured that he had accomplished everything!

I like the following biblical statement: Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, (Mark 10:21). This love is translated in a marvelous way, telling him that he still lacked one attitude that would solve everything: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” But the young man acted foolishly. How dare anyone refuse the guidance of the One who has the fate of all people in His hands and will reward them if they obey Him? That boy surely lost a lot!

Likewise, you must be losing a lot. Failing to give the Bread of Life to the world, whether going yourself or financing someone’s journey, is the great loss of our generation. Examine your conscience and see how many times God has loved you and called you to do His will. We must change!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares