Matthew 19 verses 13-30 – Rich Young Ruler & Eternal Life

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Scriptures used in this lesson

Matthew 19:13-15, Genesis 48:14-16, Mark 6:5, Luke 4:40-41, Acts 5:12, Acts 6:6, Acts 8:17, Acts 9:17, Acts 13:3, Acts 14:3, Acts 19:6, Acts 19:11, Acts 28:8, 1 Timothy 4:14, 1 Timothy 5:22, Leviticus 1:1–5, Mark 10:16, Genesis 17:7, Genesis 17:12, Isaiah 59:21, Acts 2:38-39, Acts 16:14–15, Acts 16:30–31, Acts 16:32–34, 1 Corinthians 7:14, Matthew 19:16, Matthew 5:17, Matthew 5:18, Matthew 5:19, Matthew 5:20, Matthew 5:21-22, Matthew 5:27-28, Matthew 5:33, Matthew 5:38-39, Matthew 5:43-44, Galatians 5:13, Romans 3:31, Matthew 19:18-19, Matthew 19:21, Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 2:6, 1 Corinthians 13:10, 1 Corinthians 14:20, James 1:17, Matthew 19:22, Matthew 19:23-24, Matthew 19:25, Matthew 19:26, Matthew 19:27, Matthew 19:28, Revelation 4:4, Matthew 19:29, Mark 10:30, Matthew 19:30,

I want to look at the last part of Matthew chapter 19. Last week, we dealt with divorce and the teachings of Christ. That was a sensitive subject. I want to look at what Jesus says about children and then at the rich young ruler in Matthew 19 verses 13-30. I have two main thoughts that I want to share. These are things I studied this week, and I believe the Lord opened them to me.

There are liberties in Christ. I believe that. But liberty is not to be used for the flesh (Galatians 5:13). I have compassion for people who are being led in the wrong direction. I want to open this up carefully and clearly.

What Does Matthew 19:13-15 Teach About Children?

Parental Responsibility for Covenant Children

First, I want to talk about parental responsibility for covenant children. Parents brought their children to Jesus to have Him lay His hands on them and pray over them. The disciples rebuked them. Jesus rebuked the disciples and said to bring the children to Him (Matthew 19:13–14). He did not treat them as heathens. He received them, and He blessed them (Matthew 19:14–15).

We often see children as outside until they pray a prayer of faith. Yet these children had not prayed anything. They had done nothing religious. Still, Jesus said, “Bring them to Me and let Me bless them” (Matthew 19:14–15). That is a serious point.

The Rich Young Ruler and the Tragedy of Mammon

The second part of the section deals with the rich young ruler. He wanted eternal life. Jesus wanted perfection (Matthew 19:16–21). Moving into maturity requires selling out. Jesus said it is no easier for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle (Matthew 19:24). We will look at Matthew 19 verses 13-30 to see both children and the tragedy of Mammon.

Matthew 19 Verses 13-15 – Jesus Blesses the Children

Parents brought their children as far as they could bring them – into the arms of Jesus. That is covenant responsibility. The blessing followed the bringing – Matthew 19 verses 13-30.

Matthew 19:13-15

13 Then were there brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.
14 But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.
15 And he laid his hands on them, and departed thence.

Let the Little Children Come to Me – Meaning

In verse 13, little children were brought to Him so He could lay hands on them and pray, and the disciples rebuked them (Matthew 19:13). This follows the teaching on marriage and divorce. The context moves from family to children. Scripture shows that children are drawn to Jesus. A child’s heart receives Him readily (Matthew 18:3). That is how we are to be.

The word “brought” shows intention and care. Parents presented their children to the Lord. That is my emphasis. The disciples said no. Jesus said, “Allow them to come” (Matthew 19:14). These children had not prayed or performed any religious act. Still, He blessed them (Matthew 19:14–15).

The Laying On of Hands in Scripture

Jesus laid His hands on them in Matthew 19 verses 13-30. The purpose was clear. They were brought so He could pray over them (Matthew 19:13). That raises the question of laying on of hands. It did not begin in the New Testament. It was common in the Old Testament. Jacob blessed Ephraim and Manasseh with the laying on of hands (Genesis 48:8–20).

Genesis 48:14-16

14 And Israel stretched out his right hand, and laid it upon Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand upon Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands wittingly; for Manasseh was the firstborn.
15 And he blessed Joseph, and said, God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac did walk, the God which fed me all my life long unto this day,
16 The Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; and let my name be named on them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.

In Genesis 27, the whole issue between Jacob and Esau centered on the blessing and the laying on of hands. Everything that followed, even two nations going to war, began because Jacob received his father’s blessing (Genesis 27:1–29). Esau wanted it, but Jacob received it. That shows how serious and important the laying on of hands was.

Numbers 8:5–12 shows that God gave instructions for identifying the Levites through the laying on of hands (Numbers 8:5–12). Ministry was recognized and set apart that way. It was not casual. It was established by God.

In Numbers 27:18–23, Moses’ successor was appointed through the laying on of hands (Numbers 27:18–23). Authority was transferred. The one receiving it was set before the congregation. Honor and responsibility were conferred when hands were laid on him.

Now in the New Testament, did Jesus lay hands on people? Did He minister with His hands? There were two ways He ministered – with His words and with His hands. That is the pattern. We learn this in Matthew 19 verses 13-30.

How should we minister? We minister with our words and with our hands. He is our prototype. Mark 6:5 shows healing through the laying on of hands.

Mark 6:5

5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.

Luke 4:40-41 talks about healing and deliverance with the hands.

Luke 4:40–41

40 Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them.
41 And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ.

Luke 13, verses 11 through 17, talks about how Jesus healed on the Sabbath by the laying on of hands.

Luke 13:3

3 And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.

Matthew 19:13-15 tells us that Jesus prayed for children and laid his hands on them.

In Mark 16:15-18, Jesus gave us the Great Commission. What does he tell us to go and do? Lay hands on people. Lay hands on people, something that the church is supposed to do.

Mark 16:15–18

15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

Did Jesus believe in the laying on of hands? Does the prototype church? Did the book of Acts tell us and show us how the ministry of the laying on of hands worked? In Acts 5:12, signs and wonders come by the laying on of hands.

Acts 5:12

12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon’s porch. )

In Acts 6:3-6, the ordaining of deacons is with the laying on of hands.

Acts 6:6

6 Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them.

In Acts 8:14-17, we see that the reception of the Holy Spirit is given many times by the laying on of hands.

Acts 8:17

17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

In Acts 9:17, people are healed and filled with the Holy Spirit, how? The laying on of hands.

Acts 9:17

17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

In Acts 13:2-3, it is about Paul and Barnabas. They had prayed, they had fasted. They decided it was good to the Holy Ghost and good with them that Paul and Barnabas be sent out.

Acts 13:3

3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.

Before the ministry goes out, something is supposed to happen. We have missed that point. Ministry should not go without covering and blessing. If hands are not laid on it and sent forth, it is not covered.

They laid hands on Paul and Barnabas and sent them out (Acts 13:2–3). Their work was accomplished. It was profitable. They were covered. Laying on of hands speaks of covering and blessing.

A ministry without covering and blessing is not anointed the way it should be. Acts 14:3 shows that signs and wonders were done by their hands (Acts 14:3).

Acts 14:3

3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands.

Acts 19:6 says the Holy Spirit came on them. They spoke in tongues and prophesied when hands were laid on them.

Acts 19:6

6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

In Acts 19:11, Paul performs extraordinary miracles with the laying on of hands.

Acts 19:11

11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

In Acts 28:11, Paul healed with the laying on of hands.

Acts 28:8

8 And it came to pass, that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.

Is the laying on of hands scriptural? Did the first-century New Testament church lay hands on people? Amen. Should we lay hands on people? Amen. Okay.

1 Timothy 4:14 talks about Timothy and how spiritual gifts were given to him. Through prophecy and the laying on of hands.

Warning Concerning the Laying On of Hands

1 Timothy 4:14

14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.

And then, in 1 Timothy 5:22, there’s a warning. It says, lay hands on no man suddenly, but you’ve got to turn that around, too. Don’t let any man or woman lay hands on you suddenly.

1 Timothy 5:22

22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins: keep thyself pure.

When you study the laying on of hands, you go back to Leviticus and see that sin was transferred by the laying on of hands. That makes it serious. It is not casual.

We must be careful who lays hands on us. We must also be careful who lays hands on our children. Leviticus 1:1–5 shows how sin was transferred through the laying on of hands (Leviticus 1:1–5).

Leviticus 1:1–5

1 And the Lord called unto Moses, and spake unto him out of the tabernacle of the congregation, saying,
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, If any man of you bring an offering unto the Lord, ye shall bring your offering of the cattle, even of the herd, and of the flock.
3 If his offering be a burnt sacrifice of the herd, let him offer a male without blemish: he shall offer it of his own voluntary will at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation before the Lord.

4 And he shall put his hand upon the head of the burnt offering; and it shall be accepted for him to make atonement for him.
5 And he shall kill the bullock before the Lord: and the priests, Aaron’s sons, shall bring the blood, and sprinkle the blood round about upon the altar that is by the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.

Leviticus states that on the day of atonement, hands were laid on the animals, and sin was transferred to them (Leviticus 1:4). The animal was then sacrificed. Two goats were involved, and hands were laid on them, but one carried the sin away (Leviticus 16:21–22). Sin was transferred through the laying on of hands (Leviticus 16:21). That means we must be careful who lays hands on our children and on us.

This is serious. The laying on of hands is not to be taken lightly. We must know the person. We must know their life and ministry. There must be covering and trust.

Covenant, Seed, and Household Salvation

Jesus ministered with the laying on of hands. Paul and the early church did also. Jesus laid His hands on children (Matthew 19:15). Parents brought their children to Him to be blessed, and the disciples rebuked them (Matthew 19:13). Jesus said to allow the children to come, for of such is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 19:14). He laid His hands on them (Matthew 19:15).

The word “little children” refers to infants or small children. In Mark 10:16, He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them (Mark 10:16). That shows how far parents can bring their children into the kingdom. I am not laying doctrine. I am showing parental responsibility.

Mark 10:16

16 And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them.

When Jesus took a child in His arms, He was not holding a teenager. He was holding an infant. Parents brought small children to Him, and He took them up and blessed them (Mark 10:16). That forces me to ask how Jesus viewed these children. Were they little heathens outside the covenant, or were they within His covering?

This is important. We need to know what we can do for our children. I am not talking about insured salvation. Every person must have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Each individual must know Him personally. The question is what parents are responsible for doing.

I believe there are things we can do that matter. We must understand our role in bringing our children into the covenant. That is my first major thought. In Genesis 17:7, when God gave the covenant to Abraham, it was passed to his seed and to the next generation (Genesis 17:7). The covenant was not limited to one person. It extended to the children.

Genesis 17:7

7 And I will establish my covenant between me and thee and thy seed after thee in their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee.

And then in Genesis 17:12, the Lord says that the covenant involves a token mark. It takes with it a symbol, and that symbol was the circumcision.

Genesis 17:12

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every man child in your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any stranger, which is not of thy seed.

What is the token of the new covenant? In the Old Testament, it was circumcision. In the New Testament, we see baptism and the circumcision of the heart. The outward sign is baptism. Colossians 2:11–12 compares circumcision and baptism.

Colossians 2:11-12

11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Psalm 103:17 speaks of the covenant reaching to children. Psalm 105:6–10 speaks of the seed of Abraham and the children of Jacob as those of the covenant. Those verses show that covenant language includes children and seed.

Isaiah 59:21 says the covenant will not depart from the mouth of the seed (Isaiah 59:21). The covenant continues through generations. That is the pattern I see.

Isaiah 59:21

21 As for me, this is my covenant with them, saith the Lord; My spirit that is upon thee, and my words which I have put in thy mouth, shall not depart out of thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of thy seed, nor out of the mouth of thy seed’s seed, saith the Lord, from henceforth and for ever.

What I am saying is that the covenant is not just for me. It is meant to continue from me to my son, Lance, and daughter, Bonnie. If I walk in it and do what I am supposed to do, and if they receive it and walk in what they know, then the covenant continues to my seed. That is the pattern.

I saw Jesus take little children and bless them (Matthew 19:15). I want my children blessed, so I want to bring them to Him and place them in His arms. That is the heart of this.

Now look at Acts chapter 2. On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached. The people were convicted. They asked what they should do. Peter said to repent and be baptized, every one of you (Acts 2:38). He told them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and they would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:38-39

38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The promise is not just to you. It is to you and to your children and to your seed, even to all that are afar off, as many as the Lord shall call (Acts 2:39). That is covenant language.

I know there is still a calling. Let me explain something about my own life. I see myself as a patriarch. My parents did not walk in covenant with Christ. It did not come down to me through a strong spiritual lineage. In my case, it began with me, just as it began with Abraham when God told him to get out of his country and his family (Genesis 12:1). I came into a covenant with Christ. I began to walk in the new covenant. Now I am bringing my children as far as I can.

Whose responsibility is it to get that child to the arms of Jesus? It is the parents’ responsibility. We are to take that infant as far as we can take them. The promise goes beyond us to our seed and our seed seed (Acts 2:39). That follows the same covenant pattern.

Look at Acts 16. Paul came into Philippi. Lydia heard the word, and the Lord opened her heart. When she was baptized, her household was also baptized (Acts 16:15), showing the covenant reaching into the household.

Acts 16:14–15

14 And a certain woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.
15 And when she was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And she constrained us.

Paul did more than baptize Lydia. He baptized her household (Acts 16:15). If I went to someone’s house and baptized him and his household, that would include everyone under that roof. It would include the children. That is the picture I am trying to show.

We get bound up in praying a sinner’s prayer. All the while, our children may already be in covenant. They need to know they are walking in it. They must have a personal relationship with Christ. I am not talking about insured salvation. I am talking about parental responsibility.

Now look further in the same chapter. The Philippian jailer asked what he must do to be saved. Paul told him to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and he would be saved, and his house (Acts 16:30–31). That again shows the covenant reaching into the household.

Acts 16:30–31

30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

They did not stop with just one man praying. They spoke the word of the Lord to all who were in his house. The message went to the whole household.

That same hour, he washed their stripes. He was baptized, and all his straightway. It says all of his. Then he brought them into his house and set meat before them. He rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

Acts 16:32–34

32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

There is something here, and I am not laying down a new doctrine. I am not speaking of insured salvation. I am saying that something happens when parents are in covenant with God. There is a covenant effect that reaches beyond them.

In the Old Covenant, there was circumcision on the eighth day (Genesis 17:12). Something happened to that child as an infant. Later, he would grow and respond personally. We talk about an age of accountability, but I do not find that clearly stated in Scripture. What I do see is that if my wife and I are in covenant with God, then our children are connected to that covenant.

Now look at 1 Corinthians 7. Read the whole chapter for context, but focus on verse 14 (1 Corinthians 7:14).

1 Corinthians 7:14

14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.

That does not say saved. It says sanctified. There is a cleansing taking place.

When parents walk in covenant with Jesus Christ, they sanctify one another and their children. I still believe every person must have a personal relationship with Christ. Each one must meet Him individually. Yet there is something we give our seed when we are in covenant. This covenant is better than the old one. As we walk in it, our children are called holy seed. There is something heavenly about parents bringing their children as far as they can.

Laying hands on children or even baptizing them does not ensure salvation. Standing in a garage does not make me a car. A personal covenant relationship is still required. I am not talking about insured salvation. I am talking about parental responsibility. Scripture shows a spiritual covenant connection when little children are blessed, prayed over, and brought before the Lord.

If they do not walk in it later, they do not have a personal relationship with Jesus. Judas is an example. Jesus chose twelve, and one of them turned out to be wrong. So there is no guarantee. Still, parents can bring their children as far as possible. When Lance was christened, even though we were not walking in covenant, something marked him. Later, our whole family was baptized together. Something heavenly happened in that moment. I see that our children are to be brought as far as we can bring them. The covenant is not just for us. It is for our seed.

In Matthew 19 verses 13-30, Jesus connects covenant children with the cost of discipleship.

What Does the Rich Young Ruler Teach About Eternal Life?

Matthew 19 Verses 16-21 – The Rich Young Ruler

Matthew 19:16

16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?

Rich Young Ruler – Meaning

Then a young man came to Jesus and asked what good thing he must do to have eternal life. That is a serious question. He was asking about salvation. He thought in terms of works. The man called Jesus Master, but his understanding was already off.

Was Jesus really this young man’s Master? No. His true master was mammon. You cannot serve God and mammon (Matthew 6:24). Many people call Him Master, but He is not truly their Lord.

The young man asked what he must do to have eternal life. If someone came to me and asked how to be saved, I would probably lead them in a prayer. Yet that is not what Jesus did. Jesus told him that if he wanted to enter into life, he must keep the commandments (Matthew 19:16–17). That was the Lord’s answer.

Keep the Commandments and Enter Life

Matthew 19:17

17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.

We often avoid that response. We fear losing people and prefer a simple prayer. But Jesus said to keep the commandments. That challenges my own method. If I follow His pattern, I must say the same.

Kingdom Righteousness – Matthew 5 and Matthew 19

Now look at Matthew chapter 5. This is my second major thought. The Sermon on the Mount in chapters 5, 6, and 7 is filled with kingdom commandments. Other passages also speak of commandments, including Matthew 22:36, Mark 12:30–31, John 13:34, Romans 13:9, Ephesians 6:2, and 1 John 2:3. These all point to obedience.

Matthew 5:17

17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.

Jesus Fulfilled the Law, Not Destroyed It

In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law or the prophets but to fulfill them (Matthew 5:17). That sets the tone for everything that follows.

I need to expand on this. In Matthew 5:17, Jesus said He did not come to destroy the law. The Greek word for destroy means to loosen, to disintegrate, to demolish, or to halt. He did not come to loosen the law. He did not come to demolish it or bring it to a stop.

Instead, He came to fulfill it. The Greek word for fulfill means to make full, to cram, to level up, to furnish. It is like furnishing an empty house. He did not remove the law. He brought it to fullness.

What I see is not a lesser demand but a greater one. The new covenant intensifies what the old required. In Matthew 5:18, He said that not one jot or tittle would pass from the law until all is fulfilled (Matthew 5:18).

Matthew 5:18

18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.

That shows continuity, not cancellation.

Matthew 5:19

19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Whosoever therefore shall break that word break? Amplified says, relaxes. The word itself means to loosen, loosen the force of them. He says, whoever will loosen, relax, loosens the force of one of these leased commandments, and shall teach men so to loosen, relax them. He shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Now it doesn’t say that he won’t be in the kingdom, but he says that his glory won’t be as great as whosoever shall do and teach them. The same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

Matthew 5:20

20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Greater Righteousness Than the Pharisees

Jesus said that unless our righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, we will not enter the kingdom of heaven. That compares the new covenant to the old covenant. The righteousness required under the new covenant is higher. It carries a greater demand and a greater intensity.

So I ask, where is that righteousness in the church today? Can we clearly see a difference between the righteousness of the world and the righteousness of the church? We say we are free, and we are free. Yet freedom does not mean we can do anything and still enter the kingdom. That is not what I see in Matthew 5.

The New Covenant Carries a Greater Demand

In verse 21, Jesus refers to what was said in the Old Covenant, that we should not kill. He begins to show that the new covenant goes deeper than the old.

Matthew 5:21-22

21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment:
22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire.

Do you see how the new covenant is more intense? It carries a greater demand. The standard is not lowered. It is raised.

In verse 27, He refers again to what was said of old, that we should not commit adultery. He continues to show that the new covenant goes deeper than the old commandment.

Matthew 5:27-28

27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery:
28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Do you see it? The old covenant is there, but the new covenant is not a lesser demand. It is far greater.

The final commandment comes down to love. I am not finished, but I have to say it here because it needs to be said. We have ruined that word. We say we love ice cream and ball games, but that is not the love He is talking about.

As we saw earlier in Matthew 19 verses 13-30, if your love is right, you will not commit adultery. If your love is right, you will not even get angry. That is where this is going. We have to get away from this sloppy agape stuff and get to where God says to come. He says we must exceed that righteousness and get better than that (Matthew 5:20).

Matthew 5:33 talks about vows.

Matthew 5:33

33 Again, ye have heard that it hath been said by them of old time, Thou shalt not forswear thyself, but shalt perform unto the Lord thine oaths:

He says, he says, of course, in the old times you can make vows, but I say, don’t even make them. Just do what you say you are going to do.

Matthew 5:38-39

38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.

It was said of old that if someone wronged you, you returned the same to them. That was considered equal justice. But Jesus said to turn the other cheek. Which covenant makes the greater demand? The new covenant does.

In verse 43, He said we have heard it taught to love our neighbor and hate our enemy. That was the old understanding. The new covenant goes beyond that.

Matthew 5:43-44

43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.
44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;

Which carries the greater demand, the law or the new covenant? The new covenant does. It requires more, not less.

We talk about freedom, but I fear we have misunderstood it. We may have led people into judgment they did not have to face because we did not explain what Scripture truly says. I may have to answer for things I did not fully understand.

Jesus did not abolish the law. He came to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). That means He brought it to fullness, not removal.

The law is still there, but in Christ it’s fulfilled. The law says do not commit adultery. The fulfillment of that is greater than what the law said. In Christ we don’t think adultery. The demand is greater in the new covenant, not less.

The law said do not kill. The new covenant goes deeper and says, “Do not even be angry.” The old covenant allowed an eye for an eye. The new covenant calls us to turn the other cheek.

Everything comes down to real love for God and real love for one another. That does not weaken the law. It intensifies it. The whole command is summed up in loving God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and loving others as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

Do you see what I am saying? Which covenant puts the greater demand on us? The new covenant does.

Who Then Can Be Saved? (Matthew 19:25)

If someone asked me how to be saved and I told them to keep the commandments, would that be scriptural? Would it be wrong to say that? Would I do them an injustice by saying they do not have to keep all of them, only the ones they like?

There are commandments to keep. That does not mean we go to hell for missing every detail. I am not talking about dotting every i and crossing every t. In Matthew 5:19, He speaks of different degrees. There is a seriousness to obedience, but it is not about instant damnation for every failure (Matthew 5:19).

If we do not keep the commandments, there is a lesser glory. The glory is limited. That is the issue.

Our righteousness under the new covenant must exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). I am not trying to put anyone in bondage. I am trying to face what the text says. In Matthew 5:19, whoever breaks the commandments relaxes them and releases their necessity (Matthew 5:19). That is serious.

So I ask, where is the righteousness in the church? Are we keeping the commandments? If we compare the old covenant and the new, which group would appear more righteous? That is the question before us.

I am not preaching law. I am confronting the idea that freedom means no commandments. Jesus fulfilled the law, but fulfill means to make full, to bring to completeness. He did not destroy it. The demand is still there, and it is even greater.

We are in the new covenant. We walk in grace, not law. Yes, we are free, but we must not use our liberty for the flesh. We are to serve one another by love (Galatians 5:13).

Galatians 5:13

13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

The law is still here. He didn’t destroy it. We established the law.

Romans 3:31

31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea, we establish the law.

The new covenant establishes the law by fulfilling it. The old covenant said do not commit adultery. The fulfillment goes deeper and says, “Do not even think it.” That makes it a greater and more glorious covenant. It is better, yet we have misunderstood it.

Matthew 19:18-19

18 He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness,
19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
20 The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

Jesus listed the commandments to the young man: do no murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness, honor father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 19:18–19). The young man said he had kept these from his youth and asked what he still lacked (Matthew 19:20). According to that, he had kept the commandments.

Maturity, Perfection, and Selling Out

Matthew 19:21

21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

Then Jesus said, if you want to be perfect (Matthew 19:21). The word perfect means mature and complete. It speaks of growth, of moving beyond initial salvation into maturity and sonship. It means going on in God.

Jesus told him that if he wanted to go on, he must sell what he had, give to the poor, and follow Him (Matthew 19:21). That is the call to maturity. It is about complete love and the perfect will of God, as described in Romans 12:2 (Romans 12:2).

Romans 12:2

2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

The word “perfect” refers to the mature will of God. There is a matured will of God that we can walk into. There is the purposes of God, it’s understanding what his purposes are.

1 Corinthians 2:6

6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:

1 Corinthians 2:6 talks about a matured wisdom. In 1 Corinthians 13:10, that word is used, and people say it’s talking about the word of God.

1 Corinthians 13:10

10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

It says that when that which is perfect comes, that which is in part will be done away with. That passage is speaking about gifts and prophecies, not about the word of God. When we come into the fullness and maturity of Christ, we will not depend on partial expressions. We will walk in His nature and fullness.

When we grow into that maturity, the partial gives way to the complete. That is the point. It is about coming into a complete understanding and maturity, not remaining in fragments.

1 Corinthians 14:20

20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.

James 1:17

17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Every good and perfect gift comes from above (James 1:17). Jesus was telling the young man that salvation is the beginning. If you want to be perfect, you must go on. To move from initial salvation into maturity requires selling out. He told the young man to sell what he had and follow Him (Matthew 19:21).

Elijah did that when he cast his mantle on him. He went back and killed the oxen so he could not return to his old life (1 Kings 19:19–21). That was a full commitment. There are things we must kill so we cannot go back. Maturity requires that kind of decision.

The Camel and the Needle

Matthew 19:22

22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

The rich young ruler went away sorrowful because he had great possessions (Matthew 19:22). The choice was placed before him. Sell out or walk away.

Matthew 19:23-24

23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

What Does Camel Through the Eye of a Needle Mean?

Camel through the eye of a needle meaning

Jesus then said a rich man will hardly enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 19:23). That word means it is very difficult.

The image of a camel going through the eye of a needle shows how difficult it is. Every one of us is rich in something. Every one of us must pass through that needle if we are going on to perfection. There is no exception. When the disciples heard it, they were amazed and asked who then could be saved (Matthew 19:25).

Matthew 19:25

25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?

Notice that they’re asking about entering salvation, not the kingdom, but Jesus beheld them and said unto them, “With men this is impossible, but with God.” All things are possible.

Matthew 19:26

26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.

What did Jesus say about riches?

It is impossible for me to save anyone. I cannot save myself. Only God can save. With God, it is possible. Paul said he was the chief of sinners, and God saved him (1 Timothy 1:15).

Reward for Those Who Forsake All

Matthew 19:27

27 Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore?

Peter then spoke for the disciples. They had forsaken all and followed Jesus. Peter asked what they would receive (Matthew 19:27). They had done what the rich young ruler refused to do. They had sold out.

How to enter the kingdom of God

Jesus answered in two parts. He spoke of the regeneration, a spiritual rebirth and restoration (Matthew 19:28–29). He said that when the Son of Man sits on His throne of glory, they would sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Matthew 19:28

28 And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

I believe that promise connects to Revelation 4:4. I see it as speaking of the twelve thrones around the throne. Jesus, I believe, described that place round about the throne.

Revelation 4:4

4 And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

I believe that promise applies to spiritual Israel. It must, because it speaks of the church and the heavenly city.

Jesus also said that everyone who has forsaken houses, brethren, sisters, father, mother, wife, children, or lands for His name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and inherit eternal life. That is the reward for those who truly sell out and follow Him.

Matthew 19:29

29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

Sell all and follow Jesus meaning

The answer comes in two parts. Revelation 4:4 speaks of the twelve thrones (Revelation 4:4). It connects with the twelve tribes and the 144,000, with twelve thousand from each tribe (Revelation 7:4–8). I see that as spiritual Israel.

The second part concerns those who forsake houses, family, and lands for Christ’s name (Matthew 19:29). They receive a hundredfold. I do not see that as strictly one hundred times in number. I see it as many times more than the cost. Mark 10:30 shows that this return begins now (Mark 10:30).

Mark 10:30

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

We do not have to wait until we die to receive the promise. It is now in this time, with persecution, and eternal life in the world to come. The bottom line is to sell out. That is what Jesus is saying.

Selling out is worth it. Not every area of my life is fully sold out yet, but the areas that are have returned far more than what I gave up. The reward outweighs the cost.

Jesus ends by saying that many who are first will be last, and the last will be first. That closes the matter with a warning and a promise.

Matthew 19:30

30 But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

We look at people and think some will surely be first. Then we see that they can end up last. It is not determined by position, education, prestige, or talent. It is determined by selling out.

Greatness in the kingdom is measured by servanthood. To be great, you become the servant of all. That requires a full surrender. Matthew 19 verses 13-30 calls every believer to consider covenant responsibility and the true cost of following Christ.

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