Mar 7, 2021
The majority of first century Israelites were lower class, making just enough to live day to day. As Rome ruled and taxed Israel heavily, the only wealthy Jews were businessmen, tax collectors and a minority of the religious ruling class. Wealth can be a blessing from God (Deut. 8:17, 18; 28:1-14; Prov. 10:22). Because this young man is called a ‘ruler’, it’s possible he was a Pharisee. Running and humbly bowing before Jesus, he wanted to know how to inherit (Gr. klēronomeō, ‘to become an heir’) eternal life. The man with temporary physical security was looking for eternal spiritual security for his soul. Jesus said eternal life and eternal death are real (Matt. 25:31-33, 41, 46; John 3:16, 36; 14:6; 17:3)!