Just then a man came up to Jesus and inquired, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to obtain eternal life?”Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?
4 sermons cite this verse
… And I found an example of this that maybe some of you will be able to relate to in the Bible in Matthew chapter 19, verse 16. And it's a story about the rich young ruler. It says, someone came to Jesus with this question. He was a bandwagon fan of Jesus. He followed him. He knew who he was. He was excited. He was like, Jesus, teacher, what good deeds must I do to have eternal life? He studied. Why ask me about what is good? Jesus replied. He said, there is only one who is good. But to answer your question, if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments. Which ones, he asked. And Jesus replied, you must not murder. Don't kill nobody. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself. Hey, I got that. I've obeyed all of these commands. Put me in coach. The young man replied, what else must I do? Because I'm ready. …
… and I found an example of this that maybe some of you will be able to relate to in the Bible in Matthew chapter 19 verse 16 and it's a story about the rich young ruler it says some one came to Jesus with this question he was a bandwagon fan of Jesus he followed him he knew who he was he was excited he was I'm like, Jesus, teacher, what good deeds must I do to have eternal life? He studied. Why ask me about what is good, Jesus replied. He said, there is only one who is good. But to answer your question, if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments. Which ones, he asked. And Jesus replied, you must not murder. Don't kill nobody. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. So you must not testify falsely, honor your father and mother, love your neighbor as yourself. Hey, I got that. I've obeyed all of these commands. Put me in coach, the young man replied. …
So, when I say to the graduates, you graduates, remember the rich young man, what do I want you to remember? And very honestly, I don't expect you to remember anything I say. I hope that in 50 years, I mean, it would be amazing and thrilling to me if in 50 years, I know I'll be thrilled in 50 years, no matter what, but it would be amazing to me if in 50 years, you would remember there was a speaker and he gave us a dollar and he said, remember the rich young man. That's all. That's all I remember. Changed my life. if you just remember, he said, whoever he was, I can't remember, he's old. He said, remember the rich young man, maybe you'll read it again. And if you read that story, you are reading the very words of the Son of God who created the universe by the word of his mouth. If there is anybody who could protect you against the craving to be rich, it is he, not me. …
“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.” 1. In the preceding verses we have an account of a young man who came running to our Lord, and kneeling down, not in hypocrisy, but in deep earnestness of soul, and said unto him, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” “All the commandments,” saith he, “I have kept from my youth: What lack I yet?” Probably he had kept them in the literal sense; yet he still loved the world. And He who knew what was in man knew that, in this particular case, (for this is by no means a general rule,) he could not be healed of that desperate disease, but by a desperate remedy. Therefore he answered, “Go and sell all that thou hast, and give it to the poor; and come and follow me. But when he heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. So all the fair blossoms withered away! For he would not lay up treasure in heaven at so high a price! Jesus, observing this, “looked round about, and said unto his disciples,” (Mark 10:23.) “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 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! And they were astonished out of measure, and said among themselves, Who then can be saved?”—if it be so difficult for rich men to be saved, who have so many and so great advantages, who are frees from the cares of this world, and a thousand difficulties to which the poor are continually exposed? …