
Shared Uniquely Matthew Uniquely Mark Uniquely Luke
Notice that Luke is the only one of the three to call the man a ruler or a leader. I am sure this is a continuation of the interaction with the leaders of Israel which has been continuing chapter after chapter in Luke’s Gospel. In fact, if the segment on the children were removed, it would be an even tighter fit. In making that comment, I am not suggesting the unit on the children should not be there. I think it continues the idea of how we get into the Kingdom of God very clearly. It is not a coincidence that this ruler is asking the same things again. Luke is merely continuing the theme and stacking the stories related to it.  Notice that Luke has not changed Mark’s account all that much. He has removed a number of lines from Mark to streamline what it is that he (Luke) has chosen to use. Although I must confess, it puzzles me as to why he removed the repetition of how hard it is to get into the Kingdom. Especially so when Luke has been so Kingdom focused. See verse 29 and Luke’s use of Kingdom, in contrast to Matthew’s use of eternal life (v 29) and Mark’s use of Gospel (v 29). Notice Matthew’s choice is in keeping with the man’s original question, whereas Mark and Luke have changed it. Luke switches to the Kingdom of God, which has been his focus throughout these chapters and makes sense. Apart from that his changes have been minimal.
The question that must rise in our minds with the introduction of this Rich Young Ruler is: hang on a minute, was he present in all that has gone on to date or has he just entered the picture? Good question! If this man has been part of all that has gone on before this, then he must be a Pharisee! He must be so thick skinned and thick headed that he doesn’t get all that has been going on till now. Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt and conclude he had only just entered the discussion. So as a leader of Israel, one would assume that he is like all the others who have bought into the Pharisees’ teaching. Therefore, all of those things I discussed with you through the Prodigal story and the Lazarus story all apply here. He too thinks that riches mean the blessing of God on his life. In addition to that, he is likely pursuing his own goodness by good works. Therefore it is likely that knowing his heart, Jesus responds to the young ruler’s use of “Good” and makes it plain to him that only God is good. Interestingly, Jesus then reminds the young man of the commandments. Jesus knows his heart and knows that he is seeking to earn his way to heaven by keeping the commandments.Â
Hence, Jesus immediately zeros in on the man-ward centred commandments, not the initial God-ward ones. Like Mark, Luke lists the latter of the Ten commandments which are focused on mans relationship with man. But did you notice the differences between Mark’s list and Luke’s list?
Mark’s List | Luke’s List |
---|---|
Murder | Adultery |
Adultery | Murder |
Stealing | Stealing |
False Witness | False Witness |
Defrauding | |
Honouring Parents | Honouring Parents |
Luke switches the position of murder and adultery. I have no idea why he would do that, unless he knows something we don’t know. It is one of my questions reserved for Luke when I see him. Notice, Mark adds “Defrauding” which is not even in the list of the Ten Commandments, but one would imagine somehow relates to this man. Then notice that Jesus has taken the commandment about honouring your father and mother and added it to the end of this list of man-centred commands. There are some puzzles in these lists I have not solved as yet but that is not the point. Have you noticed that Jesus has left out one of the commandments? And which one was that?
Jesus leaves out the commandment on covetousness! With covetousness left out of the list, the man can say in truthfulness it seems, “All these things I have kept from my youth.”  But then notice what Jesus says. He mentions the commandment He has not yet mentioned. The one He omitted, seemingly deliberately. Remember Jesus knows every man’s heart. So He says, “One thing you still lack; sell all that you possess and distribute it to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” Notice Matthew records the words of Jesus, “If you wish to be complete. Perfected. Having done it all.”  Oh no, there is the problem. That indeed is his problem. Covetousness. The stuff he has, has got in the way of his salvation.  Luke’s version has the word distribute, rather than give. The inference is to all the poor, not just one or two. It seems this guy had enough to help many poor. Maybe one of them was Lazarus.Â
But when he had heard these things, this new requirement, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Fascinating isn’t it how it fits with so much of the rest of Luke. There is the man’s problem. Jesus has put His finger right on it. Notice the man doesn’t protest. He doesn’t argue that he is fine in this area as well. He makes no further comment. As long as Jesus omitted the covetousness commandment, he was fine. He must have thought he was home free. He would have known all of the commandments. I bet he couldn’t believe his luck when Jesus hadn’t mentioned the commandment related to his one big problem. Then suddenly, here it comes out and he is speechless.
We will deal with the next statement of Jesus in the next Gem. How hard it is to be saved. It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. That’s impossible!
I can choose to let it define me, confine me, refine me, outshine me, or I can choose to move on and leave it behind me!
Rick Godwin
Opportunity often comes disguised in the form of misfortune, or temporary defeat.
Napoleon Hill
If we cannot believe God when circumstances seem be against us, we do not believe Him at all.
Charles Spurgeon
If we spend our time with regrets over yesterday, and worries over what might happen tomorrow, we have no today in which to live.
Anon
The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up.
Paul Valery