As Jesus was leaving a city on His way to Jerusalem, a young man came running to ask Him a question. This man was a leader, or ruler, of the people, and no doubt he had heard of Jesus and His miracles, which could be done only by the power of God. Yet he did not speak to Jesus as One from heaven — only as “good Master,” meaning “Teacher.” He knelt down, but that seemed in honor of a teacher, not in worship to the Lord.
Eternal Life
His question was, “What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” All life on earth has an end, but eternal life has no end; such a life for God’s people was written of in the Scriptures, which the man knew, as Psalm 16:1111Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. (Psalm 16:11), Psalm 23:66Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. (Psalm 23:6) and Daniel 12:22And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2). But it must be given by God, the eternal One (Deut. 33:2727The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them. (Deuteronomy 33:27)).
The young man thought he could do something to obtain that life. Jesus spoke to him of the laws that God had given His people. The man said he had kept all those laws from his youth.
Jesus knew the man had not perfectly kept all God’s words, which said to give God the first place and to do for his neighbor as for himself. The man was very rich and there were many poor among his people. So Jesus told him to sell what he owned and give to the poor, and Jesus promised him treasure in heaven and invited him to follow Him.
But this man did not care as much to have treasure in heaven as he did to have his treasures on earth. He also did not value the invitation to follow Jesus, wonderful as it was, because He was the Son of God.
Jesus loved the young man, but he did not love Jesus and went back to his riches instead of going with Jesus. But his riches could not make him happy; he went away sad. He had come running, and it is right to hurry to come to Jesus. It seems he had not hurried to know Jesus, but rather to not miss something for himself.
Perhaps the man would have been willing to give some of his property to the poor, but he could not part with all, as Jesus said. The Lord Jesus lived as a poor man on earth, and the young ruler could have had the great honor to have given for His needs, as some others did (Luke 8:33And Joanna the wife of Chuza Herod's steward, and Susanna, and many others, which ministered unto him of their substance. (Luke 8:3)).
God’s Work
When the man had gone away, Jesus said to the disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ... It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
Efforts have been made to refer “the eye of a needle” to a wicket gate, through which a camel can pass, but only with great difficulty. The Lord speaks of it as something “impossible” except to God. Doubtless a common needle was alluded to.
The richest man cannot buy eternal life, nor carry his wealth into the holy kingdom of God. No man, rich or poor, can enter by anything he can do. All must come the way God made possible, by the work of His Son.
Further Meditation
1. What did the Lord Jesus say is eternal life?
2. Who were some of the wealthy men and women that Jesus saved?
3. An excellent, general reference, with help on the subject of eternal life, is the Concise Bible Dictionary.