DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
St. Luke 18:18-27(1/27)For the Gospel of
the 35th Sun after Pentecost (Sun of the 30th Week)
To
Inherit Life: St. Luke 18:18-27, especially vs. 18: “Now
a certain ruler asked Him, saying, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do to
inherit eternal life?’”
The ruler who put this question to the Lord Jesus was asking for
specific directives, guidelines to aid him in attaining “eternal
life.” Obviously, he was
modest in addressing the Lord Jesus, for he called Him, “Good
Teacher.” In using the verb
“inherit,” the ruler gave the verb a humble, tentative or
subjunctive meaning, “that I might inherit?” He did not presume on God, understanding
that he would only receive eternal life if God deemed him worthy and made him
an heir. Furthermore, he understood
that God had expectations of him that necessarily he must fulfill even to
entertain a hope of eternal life.
The goal of inheriting eternal life continues today as the aim of every
true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Hence, when Catechumens are received for participation in the Holy
Mysteries, we pray that they may “fulfill those things which are well
pleasing” to God, which if one does them also gives assurance of finding
life in and through them, of being inscribed in God’s “Book of
Life,” of being “an heir of eternal good things.” In this passage, step by step, the Lord
reveals what one must do to inherit eternal life.
If we truly desire eternal life, we will obey the commandments of God. The Lord Jesus simply reminded the ruler
of this truth, treating obedience as a given, as if to say to him, “Well,
I assume that you are keeping the Divine commandments, God’s laws for all
mankind.” It is noteworthy
that of the six commandments having to do with relationships, the Lord Jesus
only referred to five, citing only those that address our relationships with
others (vs. 20). And what is most
suggestive in the Lord’s response is His not mentioning the final
commandment in that group, “Thou shalt not
covet” (Deut. 5:21), the one commandment that turned out to be a problem
for the ruler.
Being blind to his inordinate attachment to material goods, the man
said, “All these things I have kept from my youth” (Lk. 18:21). He
understood the requirement for obedience to the Divine commandments -
almost. But when the Lord
personalized the tenth commandment for him with the proposition to sell all his
worldly goods, “distribute to the poor, and...come, follow Me” (vs.
22), suddenly he saw the central moral failure within himself, that material
things controlled his earthly life and were preventing him from attaining
eternal life, a very rude shock.
In the moment of revelation for the rich ruler there lies
another key to guide us toward eternal life: when God discloses our
attachments, our inordinate loves, the idolatrous bondage of our lives, He is
urging us to “sell all” - to do whatever it takes to be rid of what
is holding us back from our inheritance.
Life with God boils down to choices - placing discipleship ahead of all
other affections - or not. This is
why self-examination is so critical for Orthodox Christians: “Have I done
my duty to those to whom duty is owed?
Have I failed to forgive?
Have I indulged in impure thoughts or actions? Have I ever wished to steal what is not
mine? Have I been careless with
truth?” There are so many
ways and reasons to hold back and avoid the Lord. He is calling each of us to break the
hold of all such things and to follow Him (see vs. 22).
When we grasp the depths of the Lord’s point, we are pressed to
ask, “Who then can be saved?” (vs. 26). Our Savior then reveals the third and
most essential key for inheriting eternal life: admission that salvation,the inheriting of eternal life, is
“impossible with men” and yet by His grace and mercy God does make
it possible for us (vs. 27). We
inherit eternal life when we obey the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His help to
let go of whatever is holding us back from Him.
Make us all victors, even unto the end, O Lord, through Thy crown
incorruptible, for Thine it is to show mercy and to
save us, and unto Thee do we ascribe glory!
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