“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” (Luke 18:22).
Luke’s chapter 18 is a collection of stories and
events that provide us with a snapshot of Jesus’ life during His earthly
ministry.
Jesus among people – the embodiment of the God’s
Word: “…the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John
1:14).
These four stories (Luke 18:1-32) are snippets of
our life also.
Today too, there are people seeking justice; there
are judges who don’t care about justice and don’t fear God; there are people
praying; there are people bringing their children to God and there are people
seeking eternity, if possible, by any means.
In the four Gospels, common to all that it is
written is Jesus – His presence on earth, in the midst of people’s lives –
bringing the good news of God’s kingdom – God’s authority and power at work for
the wellbeing of mankind.
The story of the children being brought to Jesus and
His words spoken, then, reveal to us that God’s kingdom must be received in
faith and trust, mirroring the attitude of a little child (Luke 18:18).
The story of the rich ruler brings an additional
message: God’s kingdom can only be received: there is no other way of
becoming part of it or receiving it.
Money (or anything else) can’t buy it (Matthew
16:26); effort/works can’t attain it (Galatians 2:16); impeccable morals can’t
earn it (Romans 3:23); religious purity won’t be rewarded with it (Galatians
5:4).
The real question then, is not “What must I do to
inherit eternal life”. The real question is “How must I receive God’s kingdom
(eternal life included)?”
I must receive God’s kingdom with the attitude of a
little child (joy and trust) making it the top priority in life. All this is
God’s gift (Ephesians 2:9).
Pastor Alois