Sell All You Have and Give to the Poor - Luke 18:22

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-two of his book Luke wrote how Jesus told the ruler, “yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor” where we read:

Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.

The verse reads, “Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing:” Luke began with the words, “Now when Jesus” or “moreover at the time and moment the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation” “heard these things” which means “was given the faculty of hearing, perceiving, noticing, discerning and discovering the certain ruler's answer”, “he said unto him” or “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed to the certain ruler”, “yet lack you one thing” which means “still and even now you, certain ruler, are inferior, left behind, wanting and destitute of one particular trait and observation”. Luke shared how Jesus “heard” the response of the “ruler” and told him that he only was “behind and destitute” of one additional thing.

The verse goes on to say, “sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.” Luke added the words, “sell all you have” or “to barter away as a peddler and sell each, every, the whole and everything the ruler owned, possessed and held”, “and distribute unto the poor” which means “and give over, deliver and divide the proceeds to beggars and lowly and afflicted people”, “and you shall have treasure” or “and you, certain ruler, will own, possess and hold storehouses, repositories, magazines and collected wealth” “in heaven” which refers to “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and other heavenly beings”: “and come, follow me” which means “and arise and come forth, join and side with the party of Jesus as His disciple”. Luke shared how Jesus told the “certain ruler” to “sell” everything he owned and give the proceeds to the poor, and He promised the ruler that he would have great “wealth” in “heaven” when he did. After he obeyed this directive by Jesus, he would be able to “arise” and come “after” Him as one of His disciples.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about this specific directive given to the “certain ruler”. The “commandments” of God were for everyone, and the idea of “selling everything” and distributing to the poor was to this “ruler”. He had one “barrier” to receiving “eternal life”, and his possessions were keeping him from having a personal relationship with God. God loves every person, and He provides “every good and perfect gift” (See James 1:17) to them. Those who wise will understand they would have nothing if it were not for God. Because He provided His “salvation” through His Son Jesus, all who consider their own personal directive from God that is keeping them from “eternal life” should submit to Him and receive His forgiveness and everlasting promise.

Next time Luke shares when the ruler, “heard this, he was very sorrowful”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

I've Kept All These Laws - Luke 18:21

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-one of his book Luke wrote how the ruler tells Jesus, “all these I kept from my youth up” where we read:

And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up.

The verse reads, “And he said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he” or “and the ruler” “said” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how the “certain ruler” began to respond to Jesus' statement concerning the “commandments”.

The verse continues, “... All these have I kept from my youth up.” Luke added the words, “all these” or “each, every, the whole and everyone of the commandments listed by Jesus” “have I kept” which means “have I, the certain ruler, guarded, kept watch over, protected and observed” “from my youth up” or “from the time when the certain ruler was a child until the current time”. Luke shared how the “certain ruler” claimed that he had observed every one of the laws listed by Jesus from the time he was a child to the present time.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn how the “certain ruler” believed he had “kept and watched over” the laws listed by Jesus from the time he was a child. There are many people who believe themselves to have “kept God's commandments” relating to other people, and therefore, they have no need for God's Son Jesus to be their “Savior and Lord”. Jesus will respond to this “ruler” in our next verse, but suffice it for now to have every person reading these words examine themselves to discover whether they have truly “kept and watched over” the “commandments” of God. When they look both physically and spiritually at their words, actions and attitudes, they shall indeed discover their need for salvation from Jesus.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells the ruler, “yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

You Know the Commandments - Luke 18:20

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty of his book Luke wrote how Jesus told the ruler, “you know the commandments” where we read:

You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal,

Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother.

The verse reads, “You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, ...” Luke began with the words, “you know” or “you, the certain ruler, perceive, notice, discern, discover, pay attention to and observe” “the commandments” which means “the orders, charges, precepts and injunctions given by God”, “Do not commit adultery” or “do not have unlawful intercourse with another man's wife and be debauched”, “Do not kill” which means “do not slay or murder people”, “Do not steal” or “do not commit a theft or take away by stealth”. Luke shared how Jesus told the “certain ruler” he was aware of the commandments of God concerning “adultery, murder and theft”.

The verse goes on to say, “... Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother.” Luke continued with the words, “do not bear false witness” or “do not utter falsehoods in giving testimony or be an untrue testifier”, “Honor your father” which means “revere, venerate and fix value upon the certain ruler's male progenitor and immediate ancestor” “and your mother” or “and the certain ruler's female progenitor and immediate ancestor”. Luke shared how Jesus continued His list of “God's commandments” with “not lying” and “revering and fixing value” upon the “certain ruler's” parents.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus referred to the “commandments” of God that deal with a person relating to other people. The “ten commandments” of God are divided between the first four commandments which have to do with a person's relationship with God, and the last six which have to do with relating to one's fellowman. God's desire is to have a personal relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and they are to understand the purpose of the law was to show the “sinfulness” of mankind. Even though this “certain ruler” will say he kept all these laws, we shall soon discover he was still lacking in what would gain “eternal life”.

Next time Luke shares how the ruler tells Jesus, “all these I kept from my youth up”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Why Do You Call Jesus Good? - Luke 18:19

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse nineteen of his book Luke wrote how Jesus asked the ruler, “why do you call me good?”” where we read:

And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God.

The verse reads, “And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good?” Luke began with the words, “and Jesus said unto him” or “and the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate whose name means Jehovah is Salvation uttered, declared, and questioned the certain ruler”, “why do you call me good” which means “for what reason and cause do you, the certain ruler, do you affirm and maintain that Jesus is useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy”? Luke shared how Jesus questioned the “certain ruler” as to the reason he thought Jesus was “good”.

The verse continues, “none is good, save one, that is, God.” Luke added the words, “none is good” or “not even one person whether male or female is useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy”, “save one” which means “not lest than and except one”, “that is, God” or “that one is the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how Jesus told the “certain ruler” there was no one who was “good” with the exception of God Himself.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how Jesus presented a question to the “certain ruler” who wondered what he “must do to inherit eternal life”. Because the “ruler” referred to Jesus as a “Good Master”, Jesus wanted to know the reason the ruler referred to Him in that manner. Only God is “good”, and therefore either Jesus was saying “He is not good” or He was affirming that He was indeed “God”. Jesus is God incarnate, and He came to save people from their sins. He alone is “good”, and He can offer “salvation” and “forgiveness” to every person who will put their “faith and trust” in Him. Those who are wise will realize who Jesus really is and submit their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord”.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus tells the ruler, “you know the commandments”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life? - Luke 18:18

The beloved physician Luke wrote how people, “brought unto him also infants, that he would touch them: but when his disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein”, and in chapter eighteen and verse eighteen of his book Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” where we read:

And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?

The verse reads, “And a certain ruler asked him, saying, ...” Luke began with the words, “and a certain ruler” or “and a particular commander, chief and leader” “asked him” which means “questioned, inquired, sought after and demanded of Jesus”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Luke shared how a “particular” leader presented Jesus with the following question.

The verse goes on to say, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke continued with the words, “Good Master” or “useful, salutary, pleasant, agreeable, joyful and happy teacher and instructor”, “what shall I do” which means “what thing shall the certain ruler make ready, produce, perform or prepare” “to inherit” or “to receive as an heir the portion assigned and allotted to a person” “eternal life” which means “without beginning and end and never ceasing vitality and animation”. Luke shared how the “certain ruler” referred to Jesus as a “Good Master” and questioned what he needed to do to be an “heir” of “age abiding non-ceasing” life.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn about another person who came to Jesus with a question. This time it was a “particular ruler” who wanted to know what he needed to do to “inherit eternal life”. This is a great question for anyone who desires to have a relationship with God, and His desire is to grant them “everlasting life” through belief and trust in His Son Jesus. Jesus said, “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (See John 3:16), and those who are wise will “believe” and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” to receive the “inheritance” of His “eternal” gift.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus asks the ruler, “why do you call me good?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".