Luke 18:24-30
Jesus Said What?!
How difficult it must have been to be the first to hear some of what
Jesus said. Truthfully, it can still be difficult, but sadly most of
us have gotten used to what Jesus said. For the most part, His
statements do not shock us any much. Perhaps that means we have
become desensitized to them. Perhaps it means we just ignore them. But
the disciples were hearing them for the first time and sometimes you
can just see the shock on their faces.
Notice three statements Jesus made in tonight’s text.
I. Difficulty of the Rich
Luke 18:24 And when Jesus saw that he was very
sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that
have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
25 For it is easier for a camel to go through
a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter
into the kingdom of God.
A. Of the three, this statement got the most noticeable reaction
from the disciples.
Luke 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who
then can be saved?
B. The occasion was the rich ruler who came to Jesus to ask
about salvation but then left lost.
C. It is interesting what did not get a rise out of the
disciples.
1. In insuring about salvation, the ruler brought up that he
had kept the law. That was a pretty assuming statement,
but it did not get the disciples excited.
2. In answering, Jesus said the man needed to sell all he had
and give everything to the poor. That was a misdirecting
statement, but it did not get the disciples excited.
3. But as the man walked away, Jesus lamented at how
difficult it is for the rich to enter heaven and the
disciples responded with shock and amazement.
D. Their response implies that the disciples assumed the rich
would easily go to heaven.
1. That still seems to be the way most people think.
2. People assume that if a person is wealthy, either:
a. God has either blessed them with wealth because they
are such a good person.
b. Being a wealthy person, they will give lots of money
away and that will earn them a place in heaven.
3. Jesus’ statement implies both are false!
E. The wealthy must come to Jesus the same as the poor.
1. They must realize they are sinners.
a. That is a difficulty for all people but especially
successful people.
b. People do not like to think of themselves as being
"bad" people.
c. In fact, they much prefer to point out how "good" they
are—just like this rich, young ruler did in saying
he had kept all of the commandments.
d. HE HAD NOT!
2. They must trust in the death of Jesus Christ as the
payment for their sins and this is another of the reasons
why it is difficult for the wealthy to enter heaven.
a. Again, this is difficult for all but the more we have
accomplished, the more we think we can do anything.
b. We use the term "self-made millionaire."
(1) The term means the millionaire did not inherit his
money but earned it.
(2) There are more millionaires in American than
ever. 10.8 million at the end of 2016.
https://www.cnbc.com/2017/03/24/a-record-number-of-americans-are-
now-millionaires-new-study-shows.html
(3) Last week, CNBC reported that more of the people
who save are saving more which will make the
number of 401K millionaires go up.
https://www.cnbc.com/2018/05/17/the-number-of-401k-plan-millionaires-
hits-new-high.html
c. That is a great accomplishment in this world but it
also tends to make a person proud.
d. Not always, but it is the Laodicea effect.
Re 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, and have need of nothing;
and knowest not that thou art wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
3. They must repent of their sin and this is the third reason
why it is difficult for the wealthy to enter into heaven.
a. Wealthy people tend to control as much as possible.
b. Surrendering that control is not easy for anyone, but
especially someone who is controlling.
F. Thankfully, Jesus made it clear that through God, even the
wealthy can be saved.
Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are
impossible with men are possible with God.
1. Why is that good news for us?
2. Because every person sitting in our church tonight has
more than that wealthy, young ruler had,.
3. Maybe not in gold or silver but all of his wealth could
not have bought him an air conditioners, a cell phone,
a television, an automobile, a kitchen with the foods
we have.
4. Thank God. It is even possible for a person as wealthy as
us to be saved!
II. The Dividends of the Saved
Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left
all, and followed thee.
29 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you,
There is no man that hath left house, or parents,
or brethren, or wife, or children, for the
kingdom of God’s sake,
30 Who shall not receive manifold more in this
present time, and in the world to come life
everlasting.
A. At this point, the disciples did not understand what they were
getting into.
1. They thought they were on the ground floor of a new
earthly kingdom being established.
a. Actually they were, but it would be at least 2,000
years before that would happen.
b. For the time being, they were getting into a lot of
suffering.
2. Jesus had warned them.
Mt 10:18 And ye shall be brought before
governors and kings for my sake, for a
testimony against them and the Gentiles.
Mt 10:22 And ye shall be hated of all men for my
name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall
be saved.
Mt 24:9 Then shall they deliver you up to be
afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be
hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
3. But they were still thinking of a kingdom with authority,
riches, and position.
B. Apparently, after 3 plus years of waiting for such a kingdom,
there was some restlessness.
1. Judas will betray Jesus in just a few days to get 30
pieces of silver.
2. Even Peter was wondering if there will ever be any profit
in their sacrifices.
C. But Jesus promised a return on our sacrificial investments.
1. Notice, Peter asked a personal question but Jesus gave an
all-inclusive answer.
a. \\#28\\ Peter asked specifically about THEIR
sacrifices and rewards.
b. \\#29\\ Jesus answered that NO MAN would lose who
sacrificed for Christ.
2. Notice, there are riches to be had in this present life.
a. The name-and-it-claim bunch are not completely without
a leg to stand on.
b. They just assume all riches as gold and all rewards
to be tangible.
3. Notice, there are rewards to be had in eternity. No human
can even begin to speculate on what these rewards will
be.
III. The Dullness of the Disciples
Luke 18:31 Then he took unto him the twelve, and
said unto them, Behold, we go up to Jerusalem,
and all things that are written by the prophets
concerning the Son of man shall be accomplished.
32 For he shall be delivered unto the Gentiles,
and shall be mocked, and spitefully entreated,
and spitted on:
33 And they shall scourge him, and put him to
death: and the third day he shall rise again.
34 And they understood none of these things: and
this saying was hid from them, neither knew they
the things which were spoken.
A. This is indeed one of those sayings of Jesus that the
disciples had ceased to hear.
1. Jesus had been repeating this statement since
\\#Luke 9:22\\.
2. He repeated in it in \\#Luke 17:25\\.
3. And probably other times besides those.
B. But \\#Luke 18:34\\ makes it clear, the disciples just did not
understand what those words meant.
1. Either God, the devil, or their own flesh was keeping them
from hearing that truth.
2. To be honest, I don’t know which one it was; but we know
it takes a work of God for any of us to understand any
thing.
Luke 24:45 Then opened he their understanding,
that they might understand the scriptures,
3. Our prayer should be, "Oh, Lord, open my eyes, my hears,
and my heart that I might understand."
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