Dr Paul Allen

John Calvin (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 19:23–24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” ( v. 24 ). Seeing the difficulty with which the rich young ruler faced the choice Jesus gave him, our Lord ’s observation that it is very difficult for rich people to enter God’s kingdom ( Matt. 19:23 ) comes as no surprise. Christ underscores just how hard it is for the wealthy to be saved with a proverb that says it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than it is for the rich to find salvation ( v. 24 ). Our Savior’s proverb is similar to other Near Eastern sayings that vividly depict a near-impossible task. Other writings refer to “elephants,” but Jesus speaks of a “camel,” which, as the largest animal used in His culture, is naturally chosen for the illustration. Christ is also talking about the eye of a sewing needle, the tiniest opening known in ancient Palestine, and no...

Matthew 19:16–22 “ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’” ( v. 21 ). Matthew 19:16–22 describes Jesus’ meeting with the man we call “the rich young ruler ” ( Luke 18:18 says he was a “ruler,” probably a synagogue official). This story is well-known, but it has not always been applied correctly. Before encountering Christ , the man has evidently done some soul-searching, since he wants to know what will give him eternal life ( Matt. 19:16 ). Later on, the rich young ruler admits to following the commandments ( v. 20 ), and so his question reveals that he is looking for assurance beyond God’s revealed will. Our Lord knows the man is looking for more, but He starts with the law of God , for the Law is where salvation begins. Jesus reminds the man that His Father defines goodness and that obeying Him is the way to eternal life ( vv. 17–19 ). Jesus is not teaching that w...

English: Icon of Jesus Christ (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 19:27–30 “Everyone who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life ” (v. 29). Often we think we should only follow Jesus because of His inherent worth and that to seek a reward from Him is entirely wrong. Christ ’s inherent goodness and beauty is, of course, enough to motivate discipleship ; however, it is not altogether improper to look for other blessings as well. In fact, Hebrews 11:6 says God is pleased when we believe “he rewards those who seek him.” This passage reinforces this understanding of serving Jesus in hopes of a reward. Jesus’ earlier promise of treasure in heaven to the rich young ruler (Matt. 19:21) probably moves Peter to ask what the disciples will gain from following Christ. The disciple is not rebuked for his question; on the contrary, Jesus says ...

The Reformed Church of France, Paris, France (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 19:23 –24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (v. 24). Seeing the difficulty with which the rich young ruler faced the choice Jesus gave him, our Lord ’s observation that it is very difficult for rich people to enter God’s kingdom (Matt. 19:23) comes as no surprise.  Christ underscores just how hard it is for the wealthy to be saved with a proverb that says it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than it is for the rich to find salvation (v. 24). Our Savior’s proverb is similar to other Near Eastern sayings that vividly depict a near-impossible task. Other writings refer to “elephants,” but Jesus speaks of a “camel,” which, as the largest animal used in His culture, is naturally chosen for the illustration.  Christ is also talking about the eye of a sewing nee...

John Calvin (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 19:16–22 “ Jesus said to him, ‘If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’” (v. 21). Matthew 19:16–22 describes Jesus’ meeting with the man we call “the rich young ruler” (Luke 18:18 says he was a “ruler,” probably a synagogue official). This story is well-known, but it has not always been applied correctly. Before encountering Christ , the man has evidently done some soul-searching, since he wants to know what will give him eternal life (Matt. 19:16). Later on, the rich young ruler admits to following the commandments (v. 20), and so his question reveals that he is looking for assurance beyond God’s revealed will. Our Lord knows the man is looking for more, but He starts with the law of God, for the Law is where salvation begins. Jesus reminds the man that His Father defines goodness and that obeying Him is the way to eternal life (vv...

Joseph of Arimathea (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Matthew 19:23–24 “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” ( v. 24 ). Seeing the difficulty with which the rich young ruler faced the choice Jesus gave him, our Lord ’s observation that it is very difficult for rich people to enter God’s kingdom ( Matt. 19:23 ) comes as no surprise. Christ underscores just how hard it is for the wealthy to be saved with a proverb that says it is easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than it is for the rich to find salvation ( v. 24 ). Our Savior’s proverb is similar to other Near Eastern sayings that vividly depict a near-impossible task. Other writings refer to “elephants,” but Jesus speaks of a “camel,” which, as the largest animal used in His culture, is naturally chosen for the illustration. Christ is also talking about the eye of a sewing needle, the tiniest opening known in ancient Palestine...

Wikipedia ) “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments” ( Matthew 19:17 ). The rich young ruler called Jesus “good.” Jesus replied that there is only One who is absolutely “good.” Jesus’ challenge to the ruler to abandon the world and follow Him provides an opportunity to break from our studies in Luke and consider what it means to be good. The prevailing pluralism of our day demands that we understand how to build a Christian conscience. There are two fundamental problems for the Christian as he or she struggles with ethical principles. The first problem is to know what good is, to understand what it is that God requires and also what pleases Him. The second problem is how to have the courage to do what we know is right. We will focus primarily on the first problem. Some of the most frustrating people we encounter are those for whom everything is either white or black, who have a sim...

Chinese depiction of Jesus and the rich man (Mark 10) - 1879, Beijing, China (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God !” ( Luke 18:24). The rich young ruler ’s countenance fell when Jesus told him to sell all his goods and give the proceeds to the poor. Frequently the Scripture gives this kind of warning to those who are blessed with a great deal of wealth . As we consider the matter of wealth from a biblical perspective, we see that there is nothing particularly evil in itself about the possession of riches. Abraham and Job were both wealthy, godly men. Those who possess wealth, however, face a unique temptation. Along with wealth comes a measure of power, and with power a feeling of self-sufficiency. Self-sufficient people trust in themselves and in their own power, making them impoverished in the things of the kingdom. Jesus addressed this issue in radical terms, saying that it is easier for a...

Chinese depiction of Jesus and the rich man (Mark 10) - 1879, Beijing, China (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Luke 18, Mark 10 , and Matthew 19 give us the familiar story of the rich, young ruler. This story is perhaps the most commonly used model for evangelism from the Gospels , and provides a stunning insight into Jesus ’ approach to evangelism. Obviously the synagogue ruler did not get saved. This fact is essential in understanding how Jesus models “ successful” evangelism. This is not to suggest that Jesus failed , but it does show that the goal of Jesus’ evangelism was to expose the motives in the heart, more than it was to convince people to follow him. If anything, this exchange is remarkable because it shows Jesus saying things designed to drive this ruler away. It seems that many of today’s gospel presentations are geared to trap someone into a logical corner where reason dictates that they make a commitment to follow Christ (if you want out of hell, if you want a happy l...

English: Jesus entering Jerusalem on a donkey (Photo credit: Wikipedia ) Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me” (Matt. 19:21). God wants His children to be assured that He loves them. We can be certain of that love if we trust His promises, clinging to Him and to His people, the church. Those who despise His people despise Him. Those who claim to follow Him, yet despise His laws, do not really follow Him. But those who try to obey, trusting Him for forgiveness when they fail and living in community with other believers, have every reason to believe that they are saved. There are some people who think they are Christians and are certain they will go to heaven when in fact they are deluded. Such people think that God will let them into heaven based on their own performance. We can divide these people into two groups. Some have no idea what God’s law demands. T...