The Rich Young Man:
Luke 18:18, and Matthew 19:16, A rich young ruler, “Came and said unto him (Jesus,) Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
A ruler in the Jewish system was one who had a great deal of influence among the Pharisees, and the other sects in Jerusalem, and also a member of the Sanhedrin.
The Sanhedrin consisted of 70 members, who probably held their offices for life. Their successors were likely appointed by the existing members, or by the supreme political authorities, as in Herod, and the Romans. Only pure blooded Jews were qualified for this office. New members were admitted by the laying on of hands.
Matthew 19:16, the ruler approaches Jesus and calls him, “Good Master = (teacher),” He than asks, “What good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
This man came in the spirit of a disciple, desiring to be taught. He also came in the spirit of obedience. He had worked hard in the things of the law, having little results in spiritual things, and was willing to continue to work, providing he could succeed.
Jesus replies, “Why call thou me good? There is none good but one, that is God: But if you (want to) enter into life, keep the commandments.” The man responds,
Verse 20, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”
He was telling Jesus that he had made the commandments of the Jews, the rule of his life. His use of words was much different from the words meant by our Lord.
Jesus uses the Greek expression for keeping God’s commandments, as to earnestly or diligently, as with vigilance, not only referring to the letter of the law, but to the spirit of the law. He knew by this man’s answer, that he had only observed the law, and considered them only as an obligation. His obedience was not from the heart, it was most likely for the sake of reward.
Jesus said, “If thou will be perfect, go and sell all that you have, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Now comes the true test of this man’s love for the Lord Jesus. When he heard Christ’s response, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Jesus said,
Verse 23, “I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. … It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.”
Jesus goes on to say, “Every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.”
This brings to mind another story,
Revelation 3:17, Jesus said, “Because you say, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing;” I will paraphrase, “Your not rich, but your wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked.”
“I (Jesus) counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, and you may be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear.” Jesus had spoken; riches, fame, power, authority here on earth are not qualifications for everlasting life.
Let’s compare the following with the above:
As Jesus is being led away by those who had arrested him in the garden,
Mark 14:51, “There followed Him = (Jesus) a certain young man, having a linen cloth (blanket) cast about his naked body; and the young men (those who were leading Jesus away) laid hold on him (the man with the linen cloth).
Verse 52, “And he (the young man) left the linen cloth, and fled from them naked.”
The man comes to Jesus as he is being led off by the guards. The guard grabs hold of the man by his outer garment, he frees himself, then flees, leaving his linen cloth in the hands of the guards.
Who was this young man that ran away? Did he know the Lord? What was his status among the Jews? Why did he approach Jesus when He was being led away by the mob? And why did he run?
The first clues may be found in the previous passage mentioned above, Matthew 19 and Luke 18. It may have been the same ruler spoken of in Matthew 19:16 The linen cloth he wore was an outward show of his wealth and status.
A clue is in the linen cloth that the man was wearing. This article of clothing was referred to as a “habit.” It is often referred to in scriptures, and is still worn to this day. It is an outward display of wealth. Common today as it was in Jesus’ day, a display of personal wealth could be seen in the clothing they wore.
In Judges 14:12, we can read of Sampson’s wager with thirty prominent men. Sampson said to the thirty men, “I will now put forth a riddle unto you: if you can certainly declare it (to) me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, than I will give you thirty sheets (linen garments) and thirty change of garments.”
This article of clothing was an outward show of a man’s wealth and status, and would have been gladly accepted when they won their wager.
The word “naked” or “nakedness,” besides the ordinary and literal meaning, signifies, put to shame, stripped of resources. Examples of this can be seen throughout the Bible.
In Genesis we read of Adam and Eve being aware of their nakedness after they had sinned. As Adam and Eve had covered themselves with leaves, the young man covered himself with a linen cloth.
Exodus 32:25. After the Jews had worshipped the Golden Calf, “Moses saw that the people were naked; for Aaron (Moses’ brother) had made them naked unto their shame among their enemies.” These people had been exposed for their sin of false worship.
Job 26:6, “Hell is naked before Him (God).”
This is a reference to the unseen state of the dead. This is the sinner, and all of their sins, exposed to the eyes of God. This description bests fits the man, and his condition, he had now been exposed.
This rich man’s true intentions were about to exposed to the world.
The man runs up to the Lord Jesus, he is then stripped naked by the guards, then runs off, leaving his garment behind, proving him to be a slave to sin, and yet governed by the law. Lot’s wife looked back on Sodom, desiring all that she had left behind; so also this man, running back to the world he left.
His first love was his position in society, his authority, and wealth; these were the things he loved most. He calls Jesus, “Good Master,” not for the love he had for him, but, for what he thought he may gain.
In our sinful state, we have an unreasonable conceit of our own superiority in talents, beauty, wealth, accomplishments, rank, or business. This manifests itself into a greater than thou attitude, distancing ourselves from both neighbor, and God; so developing an attitude of contempt; insolence and rudeness, these becoming the greater part of our personalities.
Zechariah 3:3-4, “Now Joshua was clothed with filthy garments, and stood before the angel. And he answered and spoke unto those that stood before him, saying, Take away the filthy garments from him. And unto him he said, Behold, I have caused thine iniquity to pass from thee, and I will clothe thee with change of raiment (rich robes) … and clothed him with garments.”
Matthew 27:59, Joseph took Jesus down from the cross, and wraps His body in a clean linen cloth. John 20:6 tells us that this linen cloth that Joseph had wrapped about the body of Jesus, now lay on the empty stone where the Lord had been. Here is where we can fully understand that the things of men are not worthy of the risen Christ.
The linen cloth was from Joseph, a rich man, being of a fine quality, clean, and likely never used. Yet it was rejected, for it lay folded on the tomb stone. Next we read in Mark and Luke, how the Lord when seen again, is clothed in glory.
Mark 16 tells us that Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James entered the empty tomb, and saw a young man sitting on the right side of the stone, clothed in a long white garments.
Luke 24:4, further explains, that both women saw two men standing in shining (as bright as a flash of lightning) garments.
Revelation 16:15, Jesus said, “Behold I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame.
The people in the time of Jesus set themselves against God. This young man who ran from the Lord was stripped naked. He is a anti-type. Our pride leads to destruction, and the worshipping of false gods. This man realized his own shame and ran.
Christians need to be less like the man who ran away, and more like the woman that had an issue (flow) of blood. In a great crowd, she boldly touched the Lord’s garment, and power flowed from the Lord; He healing her. Why, because of her great faith in the saving power of Christ Jesus.
Many denominations and churches claim their authority comes from God; but I say your salvation comes from Jesus Christ through his Holy Spirit, who lives in those who receive Him. Our churches are to uplift, to encourage, and to help our neighbors, and most of all to gather together to worship our Maker, and Savior.
Phillip LaSpino www.seekfirstwisdom.com