37: the Wealthy ruler & Disciples & Blind man (Luke 18:18 – 43)

Everyone in this passage were exposed to the truth of salvation. The wealthy ruler became sad on hearing how to inherit eternal life. The disciples could not grasp the meaning of the cross when Jesus had revealed the salvation plan. Yet the blind man alone, by faith, approached Jesus and received his sight and glorified God.

👉 Read Luke 18:18-43

Q1. A wealthy ruler thought he could inherit eternal life through his works. That is why he asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do...?” Knowing his viewpoint, Jesus said, “No one is good except (     ) alone.” He meant that no one is (      ) enough to be rewarded with eternal life. Only (     ) provides life to us. Although this man was pious and had kept the (        ), he did not have confidence about his salvation. That is why he came to Jesus. Jesus finally answered him what he needed to do: “Sell (     ) that you have and give the (      ) to the poor, and you will have treasure in (      ). Then come, (      ).”

A wealthy ruler thought he could inherit eternal life through his works. That is why he asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do...?” Knowing his viewpoint, Jesus said, “No one is good except ( God ) alone.” He meant that no one is ( good ) enough to be rewarded with eternal life. Only ( God ) provides life to us. Although this man was pious and had kept the ( Old Testament laws ), he did not have confidence about his salvation. That is why he came to Jesus. Jesus finally answered him what he needed to do: “Sell ( all ) that you have and give the ( money ) to the poor, and you will have treasure in ( heaven ). Then come, ( follow me).”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus did not mean that He was sinful or unrighteous, but He wanted to correct the young man’s understanding that he could earn salvation through good works.

Here, keeping the law seems not to help him obtain eternal life. Then why did Jesus address the law? The Old Testament laws were not given to provide eternal life, but to reveal human sinfulness and to make people wait for God’s salvation. Then, did he not need to keep the law? Of course not! He should have kept the law because the One who had given them the law will also give eternal life. 

The promise of eternal life was not fully revealed in the Old Testament. (There are few verses in OT prophets, not in the Law, about the hope of resurrection) That is why this man, although he had kept the law, did not have confidence regarding eternal life and came to Jesus to ask about it.

“One thing you still lack.” Although this man had kept the whole law, he may have failed to love God and his neighbors, which was the spirit and purpose of the law. He kept the written statutes of the law but failed to fulfill its true intention.

“Follow me.” God is opening the way of life through Jesus Christ. The salvation of God, which had been foretold by the prophets through figures and shadows, is now revealed in Jesus Christ. The salvation that those under the law had desperately waited for, like this young man, has been announced by Jesus Christ.

Verse 22 is the answer to verse 18. If we quote Matthew 19:21, “If you would be perfect,” we can understand Jesus’ meaning as: “If you desire to secure your salvation, follow Me wherever I lead you.”

Q2. Why did he become sad even though he had heard how to inherit eternal life? 

He was extremely wealthy. It was more difficult for him to follow Jesus than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

Not only money, but also anything that you rely on—such as knowledge, health, family, or your own strength—can make it difficult for you to trust and follow Jesus. Therefore, seeking these things more than Jesus adds obstacles that hinder you from receiving God’s salvation.

Q3. What is the promise for those who follow Jesus? (29-30)

(1) much benefit in this life (many times more) and (2) eternal life in the age to come will be given.

Verse 28 shows the attitude of discipleship. What happens if you do not lay down your lingering desires for the world, while neither fully following Jesus nor completely leaving Him? Will you get salvation?

Interestingly, the Bible does not say much about this middle position between denying Jesus and following Jesus. For those who truly follow Him, a sure promise is given. But for those who remain in the middle, they live with uncertainty regarding their eternal destiny. They will be surprised on the last day, either in a good way or in a bad way.

Q4. Jesus took the disciples and announced His suffering for the third time. Why did they not understand it?

This saying was hidden from them.

What was written about the Savior was this: He would be rejected and handed over to the Gentiles by His own people in His chosen city, Jerusalem; He would suffer a cruel death and be resurrected. Each of these events is shocking.

Furthermore, later, one of His disciples betrayed Him, another denied Him, and all of them abandoned Him and fled. This is how we treated our Savior.

Q5. What act of the blind man could be counted as faith?

And those who were in front scolded him to get him to be quiet, but he shouted even more, “Son of David, have mercy on me! 

 He replied, “Lord, let me see again.”

He knew Jesus is the only solution for his situation. Thus, he didn’t care about other’s scolds. 

He didn’t ask for money or anything, but restoration of sight. He knew Jesus was able to heal him.

“Your faith has saved (healed) you.” Jesus commended the blind man's faith. Notice that his faith moved him to take the initiative. He cried out to Jesus, cried out even more when others tried to silence him, and boldly asked to receive his sight.

Although healing and salvation are entirely God's grace, God has authorized us to use the Name of Jesus. By believing in His Name, we can take the initiative to approach the throne of mercy and receive His mercy and blessing. (Heb 4:16)

This contrasts with the Old Testament, where God ordinarily took the initiative to grant people access to Himself and to reveal His will through the prophets. Now, through Jesus Christ, the way has been opened for all who believe to come to Him in faith.