Spiritual Goals and Values: Following Jesus in His Upside-Down KingdomSample

The Rich Young Ruler (Part 1)

“So much of our unhappiness comes from comparing our lives, our friendships, our love, our commitments, our duties, our bodies and our sexuality to some idealised and non-Christian vision of things which falsely assured us that there is a heaven on earth.” - Ronald Rolheiser

In today and tomorrow’s passage, Jesus interacts with a man who is most commonly referred to as the ‘rich young ruler.’ And in our society today, holding that title is pretty much the ultimate goal - right? He’s rich, he’s young, and he’s a ruler.. the full package! Wealth, youth, and power. And yet... it wasn’t enough.

In a move that was very undignified for the day, he runs up to Jesus, falls on his knees, and asks the one question that is burning on his heart and mind: what must I do to inherit eternal life? As in, how do I live forever? What do I have to do?

Jesus responds with a few of the Ten Commandments… don’t steal, lie, or murder anyone… be nice to your mum and dad... simple enough, right? Oh, but one more thing - Jesus adds in verse 21 - “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

Immediately, the rich young ruler is filled with anguish and leaves with great sadness. In one sentence, and one moment, Jesus has turned this man's values, goals, and life ambition upside down. He has asked him to give up the most important thing within his life - his wealth, and with it - his power.

We will expand more on what this means for us in tomorrow’s study, but for today - think about or journal the answers to the following questions, asking God to “search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23

What did the rich young ruler value most?

How did Jesus change, or come against his value system? And, what value(s) does Jesus communicate as an alternative?

Put yourself into the story as the rich young ruler. You run up to Jesus and desperately ask Him what you need to do to inherit eternal life. What does Jesus say to you?

At the heart of it, what Jesus was essentially doing was asking the rich young ruler to

trade his small and narrow view of life on earth for an eternal and heavenly perspective. He was asking this young man to start living the eternal life he seeks right now.

How should living from an eternal perspective change the way in which we set life goals right now?