Finding Eternal Life and the Rich Young Man

“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

Matthew 19:25-26

Dear Family & Friends,

With the advent of Google and YouTube, our world has exploded with “Do-It-Yourselfers”. Almost anything is possible to figure out on your own when you find a good video showing you how to do it. But there are still some things that even the best can’t accomplish alone. No amount of training or trying can ensure the final destiny we all want. Attaining eternal life isn’t possible on our own. It’s only possible with God.

A Bible Do-It-Yourselfer

Matthew, Mark, and Luke each record an interesting story of a Bible-Era “Do-It-Yourselfer” in their gospels. A rich young man approached Jesus with a question. “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”  This was certainly a noble desire, but the question itself revealed a misunderstanding on the man’s part from the very start. Jesus never taught that good deeds could procure eternal life. Salvation is not something any human can ever achieve on his own.

Jesus responded to the man with another question and impossible directions. “Why do you ask me what is good?” He said, “There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” At this, the man straightened up taller and puffed out his chest. “Which ones?” he asked, already feeling quite confident that he was on a roll!

Jesus continued the instructions by listing all of the commandments that deal with loving others. “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

The prideful young man checked each commandment off the list. Yup, he had done all of these. If he had been watching a YouTube video he would have been feeling smug about getting it done without the help of a professional. But just to be sure, he asked, “What do I still lack?”

Then Jesus got to the crux of the matter. “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Ouch!! The man who thought he could do everything necessary to inherit eternal life on his own found he couldn’t make the ultimate sacrifice and give up his many possessions. So he turned and sadly walked away.

Who Then Can Be Saved?

Later, Jesus commented to His disciples that it is only with difficulty that a rich person will enter the kingdom of heaven. “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God”, He reiterated.

Perplexed and astonished the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved? But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

In our world of “Do-It-Yourselfers” there are many who still think they can achieve eternal life on their own. They think, just like the rich young man in the story, that if they have been a good person and lived a productive life they are fit for heaven. But the Bible clearly states that “there is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.

The Good News About Eternal Life

But the good news is that we don’t have to fail trying to do the impossible because ALL THINGS are possible with God. He has made a way for us to live forever. It’s not by watching YouTube videos. It’s not by trying to be good enough. It’s not a project for a “Do-It-Yourselfer”. Eternal life is only attained by accepting the work that Jesus did on the cross. Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die.”

The rich young man discovered what we also must accept: there are some projects that go well when you do them yourself, but don’t waste your time trying to achieve eternal life alone. This is something you must leave to the Expert. All you have to do is believe and fully commit yourself to follow Him!

Love,

Mama