“Who then can Be Saved?”

Matthew 19:17-27

            The numbers continue to mount as the wreckage and damage from the Tsunami in South Asia is still not fully reported. Sad stories of death and destruction continue to be reported in this horror of horrors for the people of that region of the world.

            As in other disasters of such a large scale, stories of a personal nature are coming forth. In Chinnakalapet, India, the colossal waves were moving in and a father stood on the rooftop screaming for his wife and three sons to run quickly to avoid the terrible flood. His wife, Sangreeta, had to think quickly. Sangreeta needed to rush to pick up her children, but she had only two arms to retrieve three sons. With this stark decision, Sangreeta picked up her two youngest children, leaving her seven year old son. Dinakaran, to fend for himself.  The young boy fled to a small hut just forty feet from shore.

            Finding her way to safety, the mother broke down in tears, fearing that her seven year old son was washed away in the violent flood. What she did not know was that their yellow dog, named Selvakumar, ducked into the hut after young Dinakaran, pulling him up the hill to safety and away from the flood.

            But let’s think a minute about the choice of that South Indian mother, Sangreeta. In one instance, facing life or death, Sangreeta was faced with the most drastic choice that a mother could ever make. This mother had the choice of holding on to two of three children. One child had to be left behind. In the face of destruction, this woman had to choose life or death for that which was most precious to her.

            A tsunami disaster will force one to immediately think of the issues of life and death. The Holy Spirit usually uses disasters or troubles in our lives to bring us to a place where we think about eternity. Here in our passage for today, we find a rich young ruler, likely a leader in a Jewish synagogue, coming forth by himself to ask Jesus what good thing he might do to gain everlasting life.

            Now, think of this situation. A rich man, a man of religion, a man of respect. Yet, his conscience was gnawing at him, nagging him, and pressing him to come to Jesus to find out what Jesus said he might do to gain Heaven. We don’t know what prompted this man to approach our Lord. John 3 records that Nicodemus came by night, to ask Jesus about everlasting life. This man came alone, perhaps knowing of the stigma that might come upon him for being identified with Jesus.

            Let’s make comparison to our situation. This man came to ask Jesus about eternal life. I would relate this to a person coming to ask you how to be saved, or even walking an aisle in church to seek knowledge of going to Heaven. We know what we would tell him, or do we? In this confrontation, our Lord dealt with issues that we might not expect to face. Please consider three issues our Lord used to face this seeking sinner. As we consider these issues, let us consider what Jesus insists that we realize before we can know everlasting life.

I. Sovereign Holiness               vss. 17-19

            Notice that the first issue brought before this man was the issue of the goodness, the purity of God. Isn’t it noteworthy that Jesus did not begin with “smile, God loves you”? No, the love of God would have meant nothing to this man who felt that he was a good man and could do a good thing to gain everlasting life. No, Jesus faced this rich young ruler with the holiness of God. How did Jesus address the issue of sovereign holiness? Jesus dealt with:

            A. Our Lord’s Deity                    vs. 17 a

            The rich young ruler addressed Jesus as “good teacher.” This was likely a polite greeting, but kind in that this ruler of a synagogue would give credence to this controversial teacher. But the young ruler addressed Jesus as “good teacher.”

            But our Lord used this as an opportunity to challenge him “why do you call me good? Don’t you know that only God is good?” We know that Jesus is good, because Jesus is God. But even here, this man had to come face to face with the deity of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            Friends, you don’t have to be a theologian to be saved, but you must understand that Jesus is God come in the flesh. Jesus is not just a mere man, but is God who came in human form. Ravi Zacharias tells of a Hindu who heard the story of Jesus and prayed to accept Christ as His Saviour. Remember that Hindus believe in a multiplicity of gods, this Hindu announced, I have many gods, now I have one more. Friends, this is not saving faith. Hebrews tells us that he who comes to God must believe that He is and a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him. Our Lord is the One true God, the One in whom we must trust.

            B. Our Lord’s Demands   vss. 17 b-19

            The next matter with which Jesus faced this rich and religious seeker, was the issue of the commandments. Now, we know that the commandments do not save. So, when the man asked Jesus what he needed to do for salvation, why did Jesus give him the commandments?

            You see, the commandments are not the means of salvation, but they are the means of condemnation. The commandments point out the need of a Saviour, because we so fail at keeping the commandments. Galatians says that the Law is a schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ. An honest look at the Law points out that we have not kept the Law of God, we have violated His Word and we are guilty before God.

            Are you familiar with Kirk Cameron, the television actor, now a Christian minister? Kirk has a ministry of urging people to use the Ten Commandments in witnessing. Our generation has been indoctrinated to believe in self, to esteem ourselves, that “I’m ok, you’re ok”, that there are no moral absolutes, so no one feels any guilt or shame. But, when you examine the Law of God, you must come to the place where you see yourself as a violator of the Law of God. You need to know His mercy, His forgiveness, because you and I are guilty sinners in need of being saved.

II. Sinner’s Heart                        vss. 20-22

            When Jesus faced this religious young wealthy man with the Law of God, this young man reacted in such a way that displayed the sinfulness of his heart. This open display of his heart is a picture of the sinfulness that lies within each of our hearts in our natural condition.

            A. Sinful Pride                           vs. 20

            When our Lord faced this religious man with the commandments, the man replied “all these have I kept from my youth up.” Now, let’s be honest. Can any honest person say that they have loved God with all their heart, soul, and mind? Can any honest person claim that they have loved their neighbor as themselves? But this proud, religious man claimed “all these have I kept from my youth up.” Think with me a moment about those who hope to gain everlasting life by their own good works. People who speak of their own goodness, obviously don’t want to examine themselves in light of God’s eternal Law. People who are honest must see their own failings and sin.

            Several years ago, a study of American students asked these students to evaluate their own level of knowledge, own level of skills. Overwhelmingly, more than 80% greatly overestimated their own ability. Do you remember when Evil Knevil made the news with his long jumps in his automobile, including a dramatic jump over a large canyon out west? Suppose he overestimated his ability or the power of his car?

            Even so, when you are talking your soul’s destiny for eternity, you cannot take anything less than a sure and certain hope. You can’t risk on hoping that you are a good enough person. Our flesh naturally thinks we are good and moral people, but we are law breakers and must face up to our guilt.

            B. Sinful Priorities             vss. 21,22

            Jesus, knowing his heart, Jesus challenged the rich, young, religious leader to sell his goods and give to the poor. Our Lord knew that his heart was fixed on riches and that a rich man is often turned away from God because of his riches.

            Mind you, our Lord was not a Marxist who opposed wealth. Nor is Jesus saying that you must take a vow of poverty to gain everlasting life. But Jesus is challenging this religious man to admit his sinfulness before God. But the obvious matter is that the man could not get right with God, because money had become the priority of his life.

            Clovis Chappell tells of a Mississippi Deputy Sheriff stopping a man on Eads Bridge staring down at the water. The deputy told the man to move along and the man said “leave me alone” as he gazed at the waters below. “There is something worth more than gold, but I am trying to remember what it is!”

            Sad to say, our hearts are misguided as to the most important priorities for time and eternity.. We need to see our lost condition and our total dependence upon God for salvation. We are flawed by nature and by choice. We cannot do enough good to gain everlasting life.

 III. Saviour’s Hope   vss. 25-26

            At this point, Jesus explained that a camel might easier go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter Heaven. Some have taught that this refers to a low area in Jerusalem, where a camel had to get on his knees and unload his burden, symbolic of a rich man unloading his baggage and becoming humble. However, this is not the case.

            The old Rabbis of Jesus’ day had a saying about the impossibility of an elephant or a camel going through the eye of a needle---the smallest opening known to anyone in that day. Jesus was speaking of an absolute impossibility.

            The Disciples had the right question— how can anyone be saved? In your own best efforts, your own good works, no one can earn everlasting life. The religious, rich, young man wanted to know what he could do to gain Heaven and Jesus led His hearers to the conclusion that none could be saved.

            Friends, in your best works, your self-efforts, your most noble intentions, you cannot merit salvation. The only merit that counts toward Heaven is the eternal merit of Jesus Christ and the grace of God that delivers His merit to you.

            In the early days of my ministry, a man named Charles faithfully attended the church where I was Pastor. Charles was a lovable man who would work, and was pleasant. Charles never married, had dropped out of elementary school, but Charles was a dear friend with a keen mind and love for Bible preaching. Charles liked to drink, but would go months and months without drinking. Once, Charles stayed drunk and we were able to enroll Charles in the Friends of Alcoholics Ministry. Charles left the ministry and rode a Greyhound bus and got off the bus in Avondale. On the way home, Charles stopped by to see a friend at the Long Branch Saloon and before the night was out Charles was in Birmingham Jail for public intoxication.

            That Monday, Charles went before Judge Mason Davis who looked at Charles and then looked at me and said “Pastor, will you stand good for this man?” I assured him I would and Charles was released.

            We see from this passage of Scripture that we cannot earn our salvation. But in the courts of Heaven, my Saviour, the One who died for my sins, and rose again to conquer the power of death, stands for me. And on that basis, I am released from my condemnation. By faith in Christ, you can be released.