A certain ruler came to the Lord and asked Him a question that... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2024

A certain ruler asked him, saying, Good teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?
Luke 18:18.

A certain ruler came to the Lord and asked Him a question that occupied him intensely and made him feel uneasy. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He put the question to Jesus, recognising Him to be a "good teacher" who was able to interpret Old Testament scriptures correctly.

"You know the commandments," Jesus answered and quoted five examples.

"All these things I have kept from my youth", replied the ruler.

You still lack one thing," the Lord Jesus said and put his finger on the sore point. "Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me."

Then we read that the ruler was troubled, because he was very rich. What do we learn from this?

1. The Lord Jesus is more than "a good teacher", although He is that as well. He is the Son of God who became Man so as to die on the cross, thereby opening up the way to God.
2. We can do nothing "to inherit eternal life", but we can accept it as a gift from God by admitting that we are sinners and guilty before God. The ruler's guilt consisted in his constantly contravening the first commandment: "You shall have no other gods before me." He was more devoted to his wealth than to God. How easily we forget that the first place in our life is God's right. We owe all that we are and have to Him.
3. Only if we truly follow Jesus Christ, and He has the first place in our life, shall we lead a life of genuine fulfilment in the peace that God gives.

Today's reading: Genesis 45:1-15 · Psalms 32:1-5