Timeline for What challenge did Jesus put before the rich young man in Mtt19?
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15 events
| when toggle format | what | by | license | comment | |
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| Dec 4 at 16:24 | vote | accept | Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan | ||
| Oct 18 at 7:36 | comment | added | user111403 | @Anne I see, thanks for pointing that out. Yes, it was a bit unclear, I suppose it would be better to say "you'd be foolish to value temporary earthly wealth over heavenly treasure". | |
| Oct 18 at 7:23 | comment | added | Anne | @user111403 Clarity in your comments was lost when you said, "yes, in exchange for treasure in heaven, you'd be foolish not to make the trade -" That implies that we are to do something first, and then we will be rewarded with something much better on offer. But Jesus said that there's no reward for doing what we ought to do. See Luke 17:7-9. We ought to serve the Lord only, forsaking Mammon, which is not a work. | |
| Oct 16 at 11:38 | comment | added | Nigel J | @Anne They that will be rich pierce themselves through with many sorrows. It is a release and a relief to be rid of the burden. 'Sell' and give' is not "work". It is a mercy for Jesus to say to the man - sell and give. 'My yoke is easy and my burden is light' can be said of no religion on earth other than the true following of the Son of God. | |
| Oct 16 at 11:38 | comment | added | user111403 | @Anne Of course! I did write in so many words that "this text isn't teaching salvation by works" and that this is about belief - he'd have to believe in Jesus to do the work. To be honest, even after re-reading I still don't see why this isn't clear, but evidently it isn't... | |
| Oct 16 at 11:28 | comment | added | Anne | @user111403 Just chipping in to agree that helping the poor in a material way certainly is work (e.g. helping them rebuild shelter after a tornado, or bury their dead after a flood.) But all such good work is not in exchange for God-given salvation. After all, atheists may do exactly the same good work but disbelieve God even exists. They may even boast their motives are purer than those hoping to merit God's favour. But those saved by the grace of God WILL do good works, BECAUSE they are now saved and released to show the love of Christ! | |
| Oct 15 at 13:36 | comment | added | user111403 | @MikeBorden Exactly! I don't really see this as a disagreement? I just don't see saying "Jesus asks for no works", when He does, very specifically ask for a work. Which is why I think it's important to make the point why - the work He asks for is to demonstrate the man's belief, or lack thereof, and not itself a means to salvation. Or as you put it, "pointing directly at the heart of unbelief in a man". | |
| Oct 15 at 13:18 | comment | added | Mike Borden | @user111403 It is the Lord pointing directly at the heart of unbelief in a man. He is not advocating a 'work' but exposing the sinful heart. If this man's primary hang-up was pride Jesus would have pointed toward humility. The answer to "Who you you say that I am?" is not a work either...at least not a human work. Jesus' response to Peter? Flesh and blood does not give this revelation: It is a work of God. Therein is Peter blessed. Not by work but believing and confessing Divine revelation. Give to the poor, sure, but don't pat yourself on the head for it. | |
| Oct 15 at 13:08 | comment | added | user111403 | Care to expand on what exactly you disagree with? What is giving all your possessions to the poor, if not a work? | |
| Oct 15 at 11:38 | comment | added | Nigel J | @user111403 I disagree but feel free to answer the question as you see fit. | |
| Oct 15 at 10:13 | comment | added | user111403 | +1, but... "Jesus asks for no works" Giving everything you own to the poor is a work. And yes, in exchange for treasure in heaven, you'd be foolish not to make the trade - but you have to believe in the treasure in heaven to do it. You have to believe that the one making the promise can and will carry through. The direction from Jesus is a test of his faith (which is why this text isn't teaching salvation by works). So there is in some sense a challenge here, and it's the same one Jesus presents to his disciples: "Who do you believe that I am?" | |
| Oct 15 at 9:38 | comment | added | Nigel J | @KadalikattJosephSibichan Yes, indeed. Forsake all and follow Him. The only thing to do with one's existence. | |
| Oct 15 at 9:35 | comment | added | Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan | Thanks, Nigel J, for the scholarly inputs. St Mother Theresa famously said : "Give until you are hurt ! " But the 'poor ' rich young man told to give till he became Zero. | |
| Oct 15 at 9:12 | history | edited | Nigel J | CC BY-SA 4.0 |
added 15 characters in body
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| Oct 15 at 9:07 | history | answered | Nigel J | CC BY-SA 4.0 |