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Avoiding the Thing Trap

Avoiding the Thing Trap

Words of Faith 11-21-18

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2018

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

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Luke 18:15-23

   People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. [16] But Jesus called the children to him and said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. [17] I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it."

   [18] A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

   [19] "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good except God alone. [20] You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"

   [21] "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.

   [22] When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

   [23] When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

 

         This was really one of those great days in ministry. It was quite a scene. Parents were crowding around Jesus bringing their babies so that He might touch them. There had been at least one miracle in recent memory, the healing ten lepers. Everything was going well. There was a lot of attention gathering around Jesus. Now, there was even some attention from what we might call a prominent person.

         Luke calls the man a "ruler" though we do not know of what. He was a wealthy man. Matthew tells us that he was "young.” From these three Gospel descriptions, he has come to be called the rich young ruler. He may very well embody the things that our culture worships and strives for. He was rich, young and powerful.

         But we have little else in terms of background. In many ways, he appeared to be exactly the sort of fellow that most would love to have come to their church-- wealthy, young, moral, and influential. But Jesus was neither impressed nor intimidated.

     "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?"

     "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good except God alone."

     Why would Jesus respond like that? What was the problem? And was Jesus really saying that He was not good? Or that He was not God? Actually, it is most likely that Jesus was simply deflecting the flattery being expressed. When someone wealthy and powerful pays a compliment, we can easily be seduced. Not Jesus.

     Jesus already knew this man's heart and the great battle that was going on for this man's soul. Jesus refused to buy into the flattery or the nicety of the interchange simply because there was so much at stake. There was some diagnosis needed.

       Jesus went on. "You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.'"

       "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said.

       Jesus questioned the man regarding the Law naming commands five through nine, which are all those related to relationships with people. But Jesus did not mention those related to our relationship with God (1-4) or things (10).

         As Jesus diagnosed the spiritual condition of this man, He might have discerned that he had a great way with people. He had good relationships with those around him. No one would have said anything against him. He was extremely well thought of in the community. He was committed to his family. If you had asked anyone about this man, you would have gotten a good report. He was "a prince of a guy" as they say. But that was not enough. Something was lacking.

       When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth.

       What did this winsome, handsome, charming, affluent, influential man lack? Apparently, he had other gods in his life. Things. He had idols in this life. He coveted things and wealth to the degree that he could not turn loose of them and he could not get free from them.

       The spiritual condition of this man was so critical that Jesus called for the most drastic of measures, that he might be free. Turn loose of all your stuff and you will be free. Notice that Jesus did NOT say to sell everything and give it to me. That is what you will hear from a charlatan. Jesus said to give everything he had to the poor.

       This was not a general prescription for the Christian life. We know that Jesus rubbed elbows with a number of wealthy people many of whom supported His ministry. He never told them to sell everything and give it to the poor. Why? Because they were not trapped by their wealth. They were not possessed by their possessions. But for this man it was the only way. A radical amputation.

         It gives us pause. What about the things in our lives? How would Jesus diagnose us? Are there things that we hold to more dearly than Jesus? Are there things that are more important to us than the people around us that God wants us to love and reach for Him? Are there things that have a grip on us? Perhaps it time for Him to set us free from those things.

 

         Jesus, You are the Great Physician. Check me out. Diagnose me. Show me the things that have too much of a grip on me. Set me free. In Jesus' name.