The Difference Between Being Sorry and Being Sorrowful
(NRSV) Matt 19:16 Then someone came to him and said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; 19 Honor your father and mother; also, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this word, he went away grieving, for he had many possessions.
Some things we need to understand about “The Rich Young ruler.”
—Probably inherited his wealth and his status since he had both at a young age.
—Sought Jesus but then did not know how to respond.
—Had followed the law as he understood it but unwilling to live in the freedom of Christ.
—Was not willing to humble himself so that Jesus would be lifted up.
—Was sorry over his inability to do as Jesus asked but not sorrowful.
—Could not reach out to others with open hands because he held on too tightly to his status and possessions.
—Grieved not because salvation was out of his reach (because it wasn’t) but because he was unwilling to forfeit his possessions to receive eternal life.
—It is not that someone with status and wealth cannot receive salvation. The problem was that Jesus saw the young man’s heart and knew he loved those things more than God.
(NRSV) Luke 19:1 He (Jesus) entered Jericho and was passing through it. 2 A man was there named Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 He was trying to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was short in stature. 4 So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore tree to see him, because he was going to pass that way. 5 When Jesus came to the place, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, hurry and come down; for I must stay at your house today.” 6 So he hurried down and was happy to welcome him. 7 All who saw it began to grumble and said, “He has gone to be the guest of one who is a sinner.” 8 Zacchaeus stood there and said to the Lord, “Look, half of my possessions, Lord, I will give to the poor; and if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I will pay back four times as much.” 9 Then Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because he too is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek out and to save the lost.”
Some things we need to understand about Zaccheus.
—Rich by means of his job as chief tax collector.
—Considered a traitor to his people.
—Stole from his people.
—Sought Jesus with all of his being.
—Ran ahead and climbed a tree. Both actions would have been considered undignified for a grown man in his culture.
—Climbed a tree not to elevate himself but to see Jesus more clearly.
—Had a deep sorrow that moved him to true repentance.
—His repentance moved him to action.
We are told in Eph 2:8-9 that salvation is a free gift from God, not of ourselves lest anyone would boast. Yet, Jesus paid a great price to purchase our salvation.
Zaccheus got it! He was not trying to buy his salvation. Instead, he understood the meaning of the value of restitution and true repentance and was willing to turn from sin and toward God.
May each of us today be more closely aligned with the “wee little man” than with the rich, young ruler.
In the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen
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