Romans 11:22 says, "Behold the kindness and severity of God." We see the kindness and severity of God to two faithful servants and one wicked and lazy servant. Read or listen to this material from Your Finances God’s Way to see the relationship to money.

https://youtu.be/qOcVaIPKFYU

We see the kindness and severity of God (Romans 11:22) to two faithful servants and one wicked and lazy servant.

Table of ContentsThe Master’s Kindness To The Faithful ServantsBringing God JoyExperiencing God’s JoyThe Master’s Severity to the Unfaithful ServantPeople Can Be Wicked Because of What They Don’t DoThe Master Expects SomethingAre We Saved by Works?Faithful Versus Unfaithful ServantsUse or Possibly Lose What God’s Given YouBelievers and Unbelievers Experience the Kindness and Severity of GodFootnotes

Before I became a Christian, I believed in God. I wasn’t an atheist, but I hadn’t heard the gospel, repented of my sins, and put my faith in Jesus Christ. At that time, if you had asked me about God, I would’ve told you how good, gracious, loving, and kind He is. But I would not have told you how severe, holy, just, and righteous He is. When we describe God with some of His attributes but leave out others, we create a false god, or idol.

Instead, we must do what Romans 11:22 commands and “note then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you.” We see the kindness and severity of God on full display in the parable of the talents as He deals with the three servants. Let’s consider the first two servants, who were recipients of God’s kindness, and then the third servant, who was a recipient of His severity.

The Master’s Kindness To The Faithful Servants

Because the first two servants had been “faithful over a few things,” it would make sense for the master to make them rulers over a few things. Instead, he said he would “make [them] ruler over many things.” God is gracious. We will receive more from Him than we’ve done for Him.

It should encourage us that the master was pleased with the servants even though they had been “faithful [only] over a few things.” If we thought we had to be faithful over many things to please the Lord, we might feel like failures. Instead, God is pleased with faithfulness over only a few things if that’s all He’s given us.

In addition, the “few things” needn’t be big. In Matthew 10:42, Jesus said, “Whoever gives one of these little ones only a cup of cold water in the name of a disciple, assuredly, I say to you, he shall by no means lose his reward.” Talk about being faithful over little! What’s littler than giving someone a cup of water? With God, even the smallest acts will be rewarded. When the master said, “I will make you ruler over many things,” he promoted those men. They went from being servants to rulers. The reward for serving the Lord is greater service in the future.

Bringing God Joy

I’m sure that when we have marriages that reflect Christ and the church when we raise children in fear and admonition of the Lord, and when children obey their parents, it brings God joy. However, there’s one thing in Scripture that seems to bring God more joy than anything else: people being saved. In Luke 15 are three well-known parables about salvation, and joy is the theme of each. In the parables of the lost sheep and the lost coin, Jesus said,

When he has found [the lost sheep], he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them, “Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!” I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance…When she has found [the lost coin], she calls her friends and neighbors together, saying, “Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I lost!” Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents (verses 5-7, 9-10).

There’s joy in heaven not just over the salvation of hundreds or thousands but “over one sinner.” And though the joy is in heaven, it’s “in the presence of the angels.” Who is in the presence of the angels? God! This is His joy. The parable of the prodigal son takes a different approach. Instead of using the words joy or rejoicing, it shows the Father’s joy at the lost son’s repentance:

The father said to his servants, “Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.” And they began to be merry. Now his older son was in the field. And as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing (verses 22-25).

This is great joy! We should keep in mind how our salvation makes the Lord feel. If ever we start to feel like we’re just one of many Christians and, therefore, insignificant to the Lord, we should turn to Luke 15 and read these parables.

Experiencing God’s Joy

Not only does our salvation bring the Master joy, but we also get to share this joy with Him. In the parable of the talents, we might expect the master to say to the first and second servants, “Enter into heaven,” or “Enter into the joy of heaven,” but they were invited to “enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21 and 23). He invited the faithful servants to share in his joy with him. His joy is part of their reward, and God’s joy will be part of our reward. The Bible mentions five crowns that are available to us as rewards: the imperishable crown (1 Corinthians 9:24-25), the crown of rejoicing (1 Thessalonians 2:19), the crown of righteousness (2 Timothy 4:8), the crown of glory (1 Peter 5:4), and the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus repeatedly talked about rewards; the word occurs nine times between Matthew 5:11 and 7:17.112 As a pastor, one of the more common questions I’ve been asked is, “What do these rewards look like?” The parable of the talents reveals that at least part of our reward is sharing in the Lord’s joy with Him.

The Master’s Severity to the Unfaithful Servant

In the same way the first two servants reveal the master’s goodness, the third reveals his severity. We might not like to think about God’s severity. Some people even criticize it, saying something like, “What kind of God would…?” and then they list things they believe make God look bad: “…keep people out of heaven,” “…send people to hell,” “…punish them.” The answer is, “The kind of God you should fear and serve!” Few places in Scripture demonstrate the need to do so more than the master’s dealing with the third servant.

The master was on a hot streak with the first two servants, but with the third servant, we see the truth of Proverbs 20:6: “Most men will proclaim each his own goodness, but who can find a faithful man?” This verse makes two points: First, it is easy to talk about being faithful. Second, it is hard to find faithful people.

The Great White Throne Judgment that unbelievers will face is a sentencing more than a trial, but if an unbeliever could defend himself, imagine if he said something like, “I didn’t serve You because I knew You were a God who judges people.” This is an absurd defense because if he knew God judged people, then he had more reason to obey. But this is close to the excuse given by the third servant:

He who had received the one talent came and said, “Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.”

But his lord answered and said to him, “You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest” (Matthew 25:24-29).

The master put a hole in the servant’s logic. If he knew the master was “a hard man,” he should’ve taken his stewardship more seriously. The servant’s words backfired and sealed his fate. While the master’s joy was evident with the previous two servants, the third servant witnessed the opposite: indignation. Why? Part of the reason is contained in the words “you knew.” The servant knew the master was severe but was unfaithful anyway.

The servant made two strong accusations. First, he said the master was cruel and expected more from his servants than he should: He was “a hard man.” Second, he said the master took what didn’t belong to him, reaping where he hadn’t sown and gathering where he hadn’t scattered. In response, the master repeated the words that were true of him (“I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed”) but left out the words that weren’t true—“a hard man.” Up to this point, the master’s behavior showed him to be gracious and fair. He had given the servants the amounts they could handle and rewarded their efforts. But he did expect a return on his investment, and the application for us is that God gives us money and expects us to be faithful stewards who produce a return on His investment, which means using it for His glory.

We have the same expectations when we invest our own money. Imagine giving money to an investment manager. You hope that you will receive more than you gave him. It would be ridiculous if the investment manager said, “You’re such a difficult investor; I didn’t invest your money for you. Here—take back what you gave me.” You would be frustrated and might even say something like the master said: “You could have at least invested it in a savings account so that I would receive some interest!”

People Can Be Wicked Because of What They Don’t Do

In the parable of the minas, the servants have been “entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). To be faithful stewards, we must preach the gospel so that the minas multiply. The servants are told they will be “over cities” (Luke 19:17, 19), which means ruling with Christ during the Millennium. Read on to learn insights from the parable of the minas!

https://youtu.be/UHIBdts_Lg8

In the parable of the minas (Luke 19) the servants were “entrusted with the gospel” (1 Thessalonians 2:4). We must preach to be faithful. Listen to this expository sermon for insights from the parable of the minas!

Table of contentsThe Parable of the Minas and the Parable of the Talents Are not the SameBackground to the Parable of the MinasWe Have Been Entrusted with the Gospel (Represented by the Mina)Faithfulness with the GospelGod Judges Our Faithfulness Versus Our SinThe Parable of the Minas Is About the Spread of the GospelThe Multiplication of Minas (Spread of the Gospel) in the Early ChurchFaithfulness with the Gospel Is Rewarded with Greater ResponsibilityThe Parable of the Minas Looks to the MillenniumThe Prophetic TimelineWho Are We Ruling Over During the Millennium?Why Are We Entrusted with the Gospel?

All Christians are but God’s stewards. Everything we have is on loan from the Lord, entrusted to us for a while to use in serving him.

John MacArthur, 1 Corinthians, Moody, 1984, p. 108.

The Parable of the Minas and the Parable of the Talents Are not the Same

The parable of the minas is one of the premier parables on stewardships. It is similar to the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:14-30, but they are not the same. Here are the main differences.

The parable of the talents was preached on the Mount of Olives after Jesus already reached Jerusalem, but the parable of the minas was preached on the way to Jerusalem.

The parable of the talents deals with three servants, but the parable of the minas deals with 10 servants and some number of enemies.

In the parable of the talents the three servants receive five talents, two talents, and one talent. But in the parable of the minas the 10 servants receive one mina each.

Talents and minas are different amounts:

A talent was about 20 years’ wages.

A mina was about three months’ wages.

In the parable of the talents the two faithful servants doubled their investments, but in the parable of the minas one servant reports earning tenfold and the other servant reports earning fivefold.

In the parable of the talents the faithful servants receive the same reward, which was hearing, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.” But in the parable of the minas the faithful servants are put in charge of cities corresponding to the investment they returned.

Be encouraged that even if you’ve heard teaching on the parable of the talents, this parable is different and hopefully you will learn some new truths.

Background to the Parable of the Minas

In Luke 18:31-34 Jesus foretold his death a third time. Luke 18:34 says, "But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said." Jesus spelled out how he would die, but they didn’t understand.

Jesus is about to enter Jerusalem. But because they don’t believe he is going to be killed, they think he is going to set up the kingdom! He is the Messiah, the Son of David, who will sit on David’s throne.

Passover is only a few days away, which makes the anticipation for Jesus’s kingdom even stronger. It was always an emotionally charged time for the Jews because it reminded them of their deliverance from slavery in Egypt and made them even more upset about their bondage to Rome. During Passover the Jews looked forward to the Messiah delivering them from Rome like Moses delivered the Hebrews from Egypt. And this is the context for the parable of the minas:

Luke 19:11 As they heard these things, he proceeded to tell a parable, because he was near to Jerusalem, and because they supposed that the kingdom of God was to appear immediately. 12 He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. 13 Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’

Jesus preached the parable of the minas to dispel the belief that he would be setting up his physical kingdom soon. The nobleman is Jesus, and the far country is heaven. This is Jesus’s way of saying, “I not setting up my kingdom on the earth right now. I must ascend to heaven and I will set up my kingdom when I return.”

Jesus preached the parable of the minas because wants his all his disciples, including us, remaining faithful between his ascension and return. The servants were supposed to use the minas, or money, to do business. When the master returned they were supposed to give back to him more than they had received.

We Have Been Entrusted with the Gospel (Represented by the Mina)

In the parable of the talents, the talents represent the gifts and abilities God has given us. The servants received different amounts because we have different gifts and abilities. But in the parable of the minas, each servant receives the same amount, one mina, because the mina represents the gospel, which we have all received in equal measure. Numerous commentaries made this point:

Matthew Henry wrote: “The principal difference [from the parable of the talents] is that the [mina is] the gift of the gospel, which is the same to all who hear it; but [with] the talents…God gives different capacities.”

With that mina each of these servants must do business. That is the point of the parable. Those who have heard the gospel must proclaim it!

William Hendrickson, New Testament commentary: Luke, page 860.

Joseph Benson wrote the 10 servants and the mina given to them represent: “The apostles and first preachers of the gospel, to whom Jesus gave endowments fitting them for their work, and from whom he expected a due improvement of those endowments in the propagation of the gospel [and] all who did or should hereafter profess to receive his gospel, and to be his disciples and servants.”

It is fitting for the minas to represent the gospel, because the New Testament says the gospel is something we have been entrusted with, like a stewardship:

1 Thessalonians 2:4 We have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel.

1 Timothy 1:11 The gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted.

Maybe you have never thought of the gospel as one of our most important stewardships, but I would encourage you to do so. If someone asked you about the most important stewardships in your life:

Maybe you would say, “I have children. I have to be faithful to them.” I’d say, “Amen!”

Or maybe you would say, “I’m married. This is one of my most important stewardships. I must be faithful to my spouse.” I’d say, “Amen!”

Or maybe you would say, “God has given me time and money. These are two of the most important stewardships in my life, so I must be careful how I spend them.” I’d say, “Amen.”

The parable of the minas should encourage us to see the gospel as one of our most important stewardships as well.

Faithfulness with the Gospel

1 Corinthians 4:1 [We should be regarded] as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover, IT IS REQUIRED OF STEWARDS THAT THEY BE FOUND FAITHFUL. 

“The mysteries of God” refers to the gospel. We’re stewards of the gospel and faithfulness is required. This means spreading the gospel with others so that your mina multiplies.

Perhaps there’s someone you’ve felt burdened to share the Gospel with. Maybe it’s a coworker, neighbor, fellow student, or family member. And maybe you’ve been procrastinating! You’re like the servant in Luke 19:20 who said, “Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief. It’s nice and safe for you, Lord.”

If you’ve been putting off preaching the gospel, you could be bordering on unfaithfulness. Maybe you have been telling yourself, “I’m waiting for just the right moment.” But deep down you know this is just an excuse. I hope this parable encourages you, like it encourages me, not to put off preaching the gospel any longer. Make a commitment to preach to that person, or those people, God has put on your heart.

God Judges Our Faithfulness Versus Our Sin

Luke 19:15 When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business.

The master is going to return and expect all his servants to give an account of what we have done with the mina, or gospel, that has been entrusted to us. This introduces one of the more common questions I receive as a pastor: “Will Christians be judged?”

Yes and no. Our sins are not judged, because they were judged and paid for at the cross. But our faithfulness as stewards will be judged. This occurs at the Judgment Seat of Christ:

Romans 14:10 We will all stand before the judgment seat of [Christ].

Paul’s use of the word “we” shows he’s talking about himself and other believers.

2 Corinthians 5:10 We must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.

We will give an account of our stewardship, and if we’ve been faithful, we will be rewarded.

The fact that the “evil” we have done is mentioned leads me to believe the sins we committed will result in loss of rewards. If you say, “I won’t be punished for my sins,” that’s true. But it’s also true that when we sin we forfeit eternal rewards. This is what Paul meant when he wrote:

1 Corinthians 3:15 If anyone’s work is burned,

Sometimes people wonder, “Is restitution needed for salvation? I committed all these sins before becoming a Christian. Do I need to do anything about them now?” If there’s one place in Scripture that could cause us to think restitution is needed for salvation, it is the account with Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. Let’s look at it in detail to see what it does and doesn’t teach about restitution for salvation.

https://youtu.be/eRRpAwAEV68

Sometimes people wonder, “Is restitution needed for salvation?" Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10 is one place that could cause us to think this.

Table of contentsZacchaeus's ExampleUnderstanding Tax CollectorsFirst, Zacchaeus Was Curious Versus IndifferentSecond, Zacchaeus Responded Well to ConvictionThird, Zacchaeus Didn't Let His Height Hold Him BackFourth, Zacchaeus Didn't Let His Pride Hold Him BackFifth, Zacchaeus Sought JesusWhen Jesus Calls You by NamePeople Aren't Always Happy When Others Come to ChristZacchaeus Was the Opposite of the Rich Young RulerThree Reasons Restitution Is Not Needed for SalvationReason One: Restitution Is not Needed for Salvation Because Zacchaeus’s behavior is descriptive versus prescriptiveReason Two: Restitution Is not Needed for Salvation Because There Are Too Many Sins to CountReason Three: Restitution Is not Needed for Salvation Because We Are Saved by Grace Through FaithZacchaeus Is an Example of Repentance Producing FruitWhen "The Buzzsaw" Asked for ForgivenessGod Might Convict Us to Make RestitutionJesus Sought Zacchaeus FirstDon't Put Off the Gospel InvitationFootnotes

Zacchaeus's Example

Here’s part of an email I received from someone I don’t know…

Scott,As I reflect on my past and my many sins, I am more aware of how wretched and worthless I am. I am also convicted of sins I wonder if I need to undo? For example, when I was 16 and I worked at Ross I stole clothes. I am pretty sure I don’t own any of the clothes now, nor do I know the amount or worth of what I took. However, will I go to hell if I don’t find a way to pay back what I stole? There are so many other things I could list. I feel like my past is like Humpty Dumpty, and I can’t fix it.

Someone else sent me a message about a certificate he received after cheating on the exam. He didn’t know how to handle this. He wondered if he should stop using the certificate or go back and try to be recertified. But he didn’t know if he could do this because he was already certified.

I think messages like these capture something people commonly wonder: "Is restitution needed for salvation? I committed all these sins before becoming a Christian. Do I need to do anything about them now?"

If there’s one place in Scripture that could cause us to think restitution is needed for salvation, it is the account with Zacchaeus. Let’s look at it in detail to see what it does and doesn’t teach.

Understanding Tax Collectors

Luke 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich.

In the previous verses Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus as he approached Jericho. Now he entered the city.

Because we're reading about a tax collector, let me briefly explain them. Eight times in the synoptic Gospels it says, “tax collectors and sinners,” instead of “murderers and sinners,” or “adulterers and sinners.”

Why is it written as though being a tax collector is the worst sin imaginable? Because to the Jews, it pretty much was!

The Romans severely taxed the Jews, and the Jews who collected taxes for Rome were considered traitors to their people. Tax collectors were wealthy, and it was a wealth made off the backs of their already oppressed brethren. Tax collectors had to collect a certain amount and anything they collected over that amount they were able to keep for themselves. Because they worked for Rome they had Rome’s support, which prevented Jews from resisting them. The only thing worse than a tax collector is a chief tax collector…which Zacchaeus was!

Luke 19:3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 4 So he ran on ahead and climbed up into a sycamore tree to see him, for he was about to pass that way.

Zacchaeus’s name means pure, which is ironic because tax collectors were anything but pure. But when we reach the end of this account, we will see Zacchaeus became pure through Christ. There are commendable things about him that we can learn from:

First, Zacchaeus Was Curious Versus Indifferent

John Calvin wrote, “Curiosity and simplicity are a sort of preparation for faith.” I would rather deal with the staunchest atheist, Mormon, or Buddhist, than an indifferent person. Indifferent people simply don’t care. There’s nothing to work with. Zacchaeus cared enough to try to find out about Jesus.

Second, Zacchaeus Responded Well to Conviction

I believe Zacchaeus was dealing with conviction because of the way he had been living. This causes some people to try to hide from the Lord. Think about Adam and Eve after they sinned: "They heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and [they] hid themselves" (Genesis 3:8). Zacchaeus had been terrible. He could have acted like Adam and Eve and tried to hide, but he made every effort to see Jesus.

Third, Zacchaeus Didn't Let His Height Hold Him Back

Third, seeing Jesus in such a large crowd would have been difficult for anyone, and especially Zacchaeus, but he didn’t let that stop him. You might wonder why Zacchaeus didn’t want to remain in the crowd? As a small man, he could have been trampled. Tax collectors were despised and he probably feared being found in the crowd where he could be beaten up, or worse, stabbed.

Fourth, Zacchaeus Didn't Let His Pride Hold Him Back

In the parable of the prodigal son, the father ran toward his son when he saw him coming. It was unusual in the Middle East for men to run, especially wealthy, honorable men. Instead, people ran to them. But here we see a grown man running ahead of the crowd just to catch a glimpse of Jesus. And the unusual behavior doesn’t stop there, because the only thing more unimaginable than a wealthy, honorable man running is a wealthy, honorable man climbing a tree. But Zacchaeus did just that.

He could have easily convinced himself that running and climbing up a tree was beneath him, but he didn’t let that stop him. Zacchaeus is a great example of someone who sought Jesus and would not let anything stand in his way.

Fifth, Zacchaeus Sought Jesus

Several verses encourage us to be like Zacchaeus and seek the Lord. Here are a few:

Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me diligently find me.

Isaiah 55:6 Seek the Lord while he may be found.

Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.

Amos 5:4 The Lord [said]: “Seek me and live.”115

We should consider whether anything is holding us back from seeking Jesus. For Zacchaeus, it could have been his guilt, the crowd, or his height. What obstacles might we need to overcome?

Could it be an ungodly relationship that we need to break off?

Could it be a hobby that in and of itself isn’t sinful, but it takes too much of our time.

Could it be a job that we have turned into an idol?

Could it be our dignity or pride? Maybe we care too much what others think. Maybe we need to humble ourselves like Zacchaeus was willing to humble himself.

When Jesus Calls You by Name

Luke 19:5 And 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.”

Jesus held up thousands of people while he personally addressed Zacchaeus. I don’t know who would’ve been more shocked: the crowds or Zacchaeus.

Jesus could have said, “Hey, short little hated tax collector that’s up in a tree. Come down. You look silly up there.” Everyone would’ve known who Jesus was addressing, but he chose to use his name. There is something personal and considerate about using people’s names. It’s much different than, “Hey” or “Hi” or “What’s up?” We like to be addressed by our names. It makes us feel valued and important.

Before I started teaching elementary school, I spent some time as a supervisor at a large distribution center for Target. I could tell everyone loved the previous president of the distribution center. There were hundreds of employees, and many of them said that he could walk around the center, and he knew everyone’s names. During large meetings, with hundreds of people present, he could always call on everyone by name.

In Zacchaeus’s case, as a hated tax collector, he probably hadn’t heard his name spoken in an affectionate way in a long time. The way his name was typically used was in a derogatory manner. But now, in front of all these people, Jesus called out to him and invited himself to his house for dinner. It would have been an amazing honor, perhaps like the president calling out to you while passing through crowds. And this is the only example in the Gospels of Jesus inviting himself to someone’s home.

Also, notice Jesus said, “stay at your house.” This wasn’t just eating with Zacchaeus. This was staying with him. Jesus pursued friendship and association with someone everyone hated.

People Aren't Always Happy When Others Come to Christ

Luke 19:6 So he hurried and came down and received him joyfully. 7 And when they saw it, they all grumbled, “He has gone in to be the guest of a man who is a sinner.”

Zacchaeus didn’t say, “I’m horrible. You don’t want to be with me. I’m too much of a sinner.” Instead, he was thrilled at the opportunity. Maybe you’ve done some horrible things, but Jesus still wants a relationship with you.

These are the religious leaders and you can imagine their disdain when they said this. When certain people come to Christ,

Paul said, "Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life: You should mind your own business and work with your hands" (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Read this material from Being Content God’s Way to learn to be content with a quiet life and mind your own business!

Table of contentsContent Leading a Quiet LifeMost of Us Will Be a Thaddeus or a BaruchThe Premier Example of Leading a Quiet Life

Content Leading a Quiet Life

Paul said, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life” (1 Thessalonians 4:11). Instead of “seeking great things” (Jeremiah 45:5) and “despising days of small things” (Zechariah 4:10), we should “aspire to lead [quiet lives].” The world tempts us to crave fame, attention, and recognition. Can you imagine anything less attractive in society’s eyes than a quiet life?

What God wants from us is the opposite of what the world promotes. It pleases God if we lead simple, humble lives of obedience, often filled with small, ordinary routines. The days are far from glamorous. While this might sound discouraging, it should be encouraging because it frees us from striving to become big, noticed, and heard.

First Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Why did Paul mention eating and drinking? Because there aren’t many “[smaller] things” than these! What could be simpler or more routine? Colossians 3:17 says, “Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Whatever we do, no matter how small or insignificant, can be done for God’s glory and pleasure!

Most of Us Will Be a Thaddeus or a Baruch

The judges were important, but could most Christians tell you what they did? They could probably discuss Samson and Gideon, maybe Ehud and Othniel, but would they even remember the names of Tola, Jair, Elon, or Abdon?

Consider the kings. People could tell you about David and Solomon, maybe Hezekiah and Josiah, but would they remember anything about Amaziah and Jotham?

Consider the prophets. Most people know Samuel, Elijah, and Jeremiah, but do they know anything about Amos and Obadiah?

Consider the apostles. Second only to Jesus, they are the most important men in the New Testament. Ephesians 2:20 says the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles,” and Revelation 21:14 says, “The wall of the [New Jerusalem] had twelve foundations, and on them were the twelve names of the twelve apostles.” Could these men sound more important? Yet most people could not name half of them. Besides Peter, James, John, Judas, and Thomas (only because of the account of his doubting), what do we know about the other apostles?

If you ask people which apostle they most identify with, they will probably tell you, Peter. He was known for opening his mouth when he should have been quiet, and we have the same problem. The other reason we can relate to Peter is that so little is written about the rest of the apostles that we can’t identify with them!

Judas, the son of James, is also known as Thaddaeus, which distinguishes him from Judas Iscariot. He’s mentioned in the lists of the disciples (Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:16, and Acts 1:13), and John 14:22 records, “Judas (not Iscariot) said to Him, ‘Lord, how is it that You will manifest Yourself to us, and not to the world?’” He’s on the list of the disciples, and he asks Jesus one question. That’s all that’s recorded about him.

How famous are apostles, judges, kings, and prophets if people hardly know anything about them? The point is that even the people in Scripture we think were extraordinary were ordinary. This should encourage us because if we are going to “live quiet lives” filled with “small things,” we are going to be more like Thaddaeus, Tola, Jair, Jotham, and Amos than Peter, Gideon, David, and Elijah.

The Premier Example of Leading a Quiet Life

If it isn’t God’s will to have, accomplish, or experience something, we must give up what we want and choose to be content with what God wants. God wanted Baruch to be content with His will for his life, with who He had called him to be, and what He had called him to do. So, let me ask: Are you content with God’s will for your life, who He has called you to be, and what He has called you to do? We must prayerfully pursue God’s will. Not our will or someone else’s will. Jesus demonstrated this throughout his earthly life: “I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 5:30; see also John 6:38 and Matthew 26:39).

Jesus also modeled leading a quiet life and being faithful in small things. If we strip away the miraculous and supernatural, we see His life was characterized by modesty, humility, and simplicity. There was a lack of extravagance and glamor.

Why did the Jews reject Jesus? They thought the Messiah would deliver them from their oppression like Moses delivered Israel from Egypt. He would be a great military leader like David—the Messiah was “the Son of David”—and give Israel victories over the Romans like David gave Israel victories over the Philistines. He would be a great king and restore the nation to the Golden Age as they experienced under Solomon.

Instead, they had a Man walking around on dirt roads with “nowhere to lay his head” (Matthew 8:20). Jesus could not have looked less like a rich, glamorous king, and most of the time, He could not have lived a simpler, quieter life.

Moses, Jonathan, and John the Baptist’s examples in humbling themselves are challenging, but they pale compared to Jesus’s:

[Jesus] being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:6-8).

Jesus could have lived like a king and experienced the best the world offers, but He was content to obey His Father and live a simple, modest life. In John 4:34, He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.” His “food,” or very existence, was a life of unassuming submission. This should be our food, too, as we find purpose in doing God the Father’s will.

The account of Jesus healing blind Bartimaeus is found in Matthew 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43, and Mark 10:46-52. Unbelievers are as spiritually poor and blind as Bartimaeus was physically poor and blind. When they cry out for mercy, he gives them spiritual sight. Like blind Bartimaeus they move from darkness to light, become Jesus’s follower, and glorify him.

Table of contentsMeet Blind BartimaeusHow Much Did People Want to See Jesus?Jesus’s Miracles Were Signs Illustrating Spiritual TruthsMuch of What Jesus Did Physically Pictures What He Wants to Do for Us SpirituallyDon't Miss the "Sign" with BartimaeusLike Blind Bartimaeus, Unbelievers Are BlindLike Blind Bartimaeus, Unbelievers Are PoorContrast the Paralytic's Friends with Bartimaeus's CrowdWhy Was Blind Bartimaeus So Persistent?Like Blind Bartimaeus, Unbelievers Must Cry Out for MercyJesus Healed Blind Bartimaeus Physically and SpirituallyMoving from Unbeliever to BelieverLike Bartimaeus, Believers Move from Darkness to LightLike Bartimaeus, Believers Become Jesus’s FollowersLike Bartimaeus, Believers Glorify GodLike Bartimaeus, Believers Lead Others to Glorify GodSalvation Requires Faith, but not Persistence

https://youtu.be/nqmndvjYzmk

Unbelievers are as spiritually poor and blind as blind Bartimaeus the beggar (Matthew 20:29-34, Luke 18:35-43, and Mark 10:46-52).

Spiritual blindness is an inability to understand spiritual truths:

As it is difficult to convey an idea of color to the blind, so it is difficult to describe to [the spiritually blind] the [spiritual truths understood by those] whose eyes have been opened by the Spirit…[Think] of a man who sees, but has no sense of beauty…such is the case of a natural man…on whose ear the sound of the Gospel falls without awakening music in his soul.

James Buchanan, Office and Work, 1842.

In this account a man who serves as a picture of all who are spiritually blind, but then given spiritual sight.

Meet Blind Bartimaeus

Luke 18:35 As he drew near to Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.

In the parallel account in Mark 10:46 we learn the blind beggar’s name is Bartimaeus.

In narratives you should do more than simply read the verses. You will get much more out of your Bible reading when you picture what the verses describe. If you are a parent, when you read the Bible with your children, describe the accounts for them, or ask them to describe the accounts to you. In this account we can appreciate it much more if we picture what we are reading. As we move through the verses, I will do my best to help us understand what this looked like, because I believe it would have been very dramatic to witness.

In Jesus’s day, blindness was a common affliction that had no cure. Because blind people could not work, they had to make their living as beggars. Bartimaeus spent his days sitting by the side of the road begging for money from people who passed by. It is hard to imagine a more miserable existence. Perhaps only a leper's life could rival Bartimaeus’s depressing life. If he was fortunate enough to receive money, he would make his way into Jericho and struggle to buy food. This was a good day. On a bad day, he would spend the night hungry.

Thinking about Bartimaeus’s life, one of the words that comes to mind is boring. I cannot think of many things more boring than spending days sitting on the side of the road begging. One of the only things that could make the boredom worse would be blindness, because then you can’t even see anything of any interest while the hours pass by. But on this day Bartimaeus noticed the excitement:

Luke 18:36 And hearing a crowd going by, he inquired what this meant. 37 They told him, “Jesus of Nazareth is passing by.”

Bartimaeus had no idea what was happening. He asked those around him, hoping they would be kind enough to answer. Because as we will see in a moment, the crowd was very inconsiderate.

He would not have expected the answer he received. This would have been an exciting moment for anyone, and we know that because so many people had gathered for the occasion. But for blind Bartimaeus, a man whose life was characterized by boredom and monotony, this likely would have been the most exciting moment of his life.

How Much Did People Want to See Jesus?

Just so you can picture this scene better, consider what happened right after this when Jesus entered Jericho:

Luke 19:1 He entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 And behold, there was a man named Zacchaeus. He was a chief tax collector and was rich. 3 And he was seeking to see who Jesus was, but on account of the crowd he could not, because he was small in stature. 

Huge crowds were following Jesus and people, like Zacchaeus, wanted nothing more than to be able to see him. As Jesus approached Jericho numerous others gathered on the sides of the road.

Jesus’s Miracles Were Signs Illustrating Spiritual Truths

We must pause the account with blind Bartimaeus for a moment to make sure we view it correctly:

John 6:1 After this Jesus went away to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias. 2 And a large crowd was following him, because they saw THE SIGNS that he was doing on the sick.

Notice Jesus's miracles Jesus were called “signs.” In the following verses Jesus feeds the 5,000:

John 6:14 When the people saw THE SIGN that he had done, they said, “This is indeed the Prophet who is to come into the world!”

Again, the miraculous feeding of the 5,000 was called a sign. Jesus didn’t perform miracles for the sake of performing miracles. He performed miracles because they served as signs. If you read about Jesus’s miracles and don’t understand that they serve as signs, then you will misunderstand them, or at least misunderstand the sign.

Jesus’s miracles are called signs, because signs provide information to help us get to the right place:

You’re driving down the road and signs help you reach the right destination.

You’re walking through the airport and signs help you find the correct gate.

You’re in the grocery store and signs help you find the right I’ll aisle. Unless you’re like me and regardless of how many signs they put up in the store you still must call your wife to ask where to find things.

Similarly, Jesus’s miracles are called signs because they help people get to the right place. And the right place is: understanding a spiritual truth. Every one of Jesus’s physical miracles was intended to serve as a sign that illustrated a spiritual truth.

Much of What Jesus Did Physically Pictures What He Wants to Do for Us Spiritually

When Jesus healed deafness, it pictures how he wants to heal spiritual deafness so we can understand spiritual truths. When Jesus calmed the storm it pictures the peace he wants to give us when he calms the storms that rage in our hearts:

Philippians 4:7 the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

When Jesus healed the paralytic, it pictures how he wants to heal our spiritual lameness so we can, as Romans 6:4 says, "walk in newness of life." When Jesus cleansed physical leprosy, it pictures how he wants to cleanse our spiritual leprosy, or sin.

If the charismatic movement could just understand this one truth it would dramatically change the way they live. Instead of believing what Jesus wants to do for us is primarily physical, they would understand his miracles serve as signs of what he wants to do for us spiritually.

And in this chapter, there’s a perfect picture of people misunderstanding the sign because they looked at it physically instead of spiritually:

John 6:26 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, NOT BECAUSE YOU SAW SIGNS, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.

This sounds strange. Jesus told them they didn’t see the sign. Why would he say that? Of course they saw the sign. That’s why they were following him. They wanted more food. Jesus meant that they saw the sign physically, but not spiritually. The NLT reads:

John 6:26 “You want to be with me because I fed you, not because you UNDERSTOOD the miraculous signs.”

They didn’t understand the sign, or in other words, they didn’t understand what the miracle, or sign, was pointing to: Jesus wanting to feed them spiritually. So he spelled it out for them:

John 6:35 Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

In other words, “I am the food you should be hungering for…not another miracle that doesn’t last.” But they never understood the sign, which is why they ended up abandoning Jesus:

John 6:66 After this many of his disciples turned back and no longer walked with him.

Don't Miss the "Sign" with Bartimaeus

Let me be clear about why I took this detour to John 6. We are reading about one of Jesus’s miracles in Luke 18:35-43 that serves as a sign. I want to make sure we are not like the people in John 6 who misunderstood the sign because they only looked at it physically. We would be as spiritually blind as Bartimaeus was physically blind if we did that. So, let’s make sure we understand this account spiritually.

Like Blind Bartimaeus, Unbelievers Are Blind

Unbelievers are as spiritually blind as Bartimaeus was physically blind. Consider these verses that describe unbelievers who see physically but are blind spiritually:

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear this, O foolish and senseless people, who HAVE EYES, BUT SEE NOT.

Ezekiel 12:2 Son of man, you dwell in the midst of a rebellious house, who HAVE EYES TO SEE, BUT SEE NOT.

Parables are like miracles in that they illustrate spiritual truths:

Physical miracles illustrate spiritual truths

Parables are physical stories that illustrate spiritual truths

Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 loosely state that, "With God all things are possible." This verse and some others (such as Isaiah 54:17 and Philippians 4:13) sound wonderful, but are they true the way people quote them?

Table of contents“You Keep Using That Verse. I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means.”Does Isaiah 54:17 Teach That No Weapon Formed against You Shall Prosper?Does Philippians 4:13 Teach That You Can Do Anything?What's Wrong with Misinterpreting Scripture?Do Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 Teach that With God All Things Are Possible?Two Applications from Jesus's Statement about Rich People Entering the Kingdom of GodWith God It Is Possible for Man to Be Saved by Divine Grace"But What about All We Have Sacrificed?"Jesus Wants Us Looking Forward to RewardsJesus Didn't Rebuke Peter for Wanting RewardsWhat Rewards Do We Receive in This Life?Jesus’s Sacrifice Puts Our Sacrifices in PerspectiveThe Incredible Victory...the Disciples Didn't UnderstandTwo Possible Reasons Jesus's Death Was Hidden from the DisciplesThe Main Things Are the Plain ThingsFootnotes

https://youtu.be/hu-SVNg_vUQ

Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 loosely state that, "With God all things are possible." This verse sounds wonderful, but is this what they mean?

Throughout The Princess Bride, Sicilian boss Vizzini repeatedly describes events as “inconceivable.” When Westley, also known as The Man in Black, also known as The Dread Pirate Roberts is climbing a rope, Vizzini cuts the rope to kill Westley. But of course, because Westley is the hero of the movie, he clings to the cliff. Vizzini says, “Inconceivable!”

The honorable swordsman, Inigo Montoya, says, “You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.” This statement comes to mind when I hear people take verses out of context.

“You Keep Using That Verse. I Do Not Think It Means What You Think It Means.”

Let me give you a few examples with some of the most misquoted verses…

Does Isaiah 54:17 Teach That No Weapon Formed against You Shall Prosper?

On January 12, 2013, during the NFL divisional playoffs, the number 4 ranked Baltimore Ravens, who were 10-6, played on the road against the number 1 ranked Denver Broncos, who were 13-3. The Broncos defeated the Ravens earlier in the season and they were heavily favored to win this game too. The game went into double overtime before the Ravens upset the Broncos in what came to be known as “The Mile-High Miracle.”

After the game, a very emotional Ray Lewis, the Ravens Hall-of-Fame linebacker, was interviewed. He said, "No weapon formed against us shall prosper. No weapon. No weapon. No weapon. God is amazing. And when you believe in Him...Man believes in the possible but God believes in the impossible." Here’s what Ray Lewis was trying to quote…

Isaiah 54:17 No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.

This is one of the best sounding verses in the Bible. Who doesn’t want to believe every weapon and accusation against them will fail? But the context is God destroying Israel’s enemies in the future.

Ray Lewis made his team, the Baltimore Ravens, into the nation of Israel, and the team they were playing, the Denver Broncos, into Israel’s enemies. Perhaps every weapon fashioned against the Baltimore Ravens referred to the Broncos’ Pro Bowlers: quarterback Peyton Manning, offensive tackle Ryan Clady, cornerback Champ Bailey, and linebacker Von Miller. And maybe every tongue that rose against the Baltimore Ravens referred to the Denver Broncos’ coaching staff?

Although Ray meant well, when he quoted this verse, instead of God vindicating Israel against their enemies so that his promises to his covenant people were maintained, Ray told the nationally televised audience that God wanted to give the Ravens victory over the Broncos.

Does Philippians 4:13 Teach That You Can Do Anything?

I don’t think Isaiah 54:17 is the most popular verse among athletes. That honor goes to:

Philippians 4:13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Well-meaning athletes have been interviewed throughout the centuries after winning a big game and, like Ray Lewis, they are excited, they want to give God credit, and so they love to quote this verse. When all star running back, Adrian Peterson, tore his ACL, he said, "This is a blessing in disguise. I'll come back stronger and better than I was before…[say it with me!] I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”

Philippians 4:13 is incredibly popular. You can find it on posters and other inspirational art, keychains, rings, buttons, t-shirts, stickers, postcards, bracelets, and handbags. Philippians 4:13 is so popular, because, like Isaiah 54:17, it sounds wonderful. You will be able to do anything you’ve ever wanted to do. To many this verse is a blank check for whatever you want in life. It is a slogan of personal empowerment, a declaration of self-achievement, ambition, and accomplishment. It is a motivating motto for prosperity, advancement, and success.

Was Paul Winning or Losing When He Wrote Philippians 4:13?

If Paul meant Philippians 4:13 the way it is commonly quoted – that God helps you win at everything – how would you picture Paul when he wrote it? He was victorious, conquering the world, and his life could not be better. Many people would probably be surprised to know he was a prisoner. From an earthly perspective it didn’t look like he was winning. It looked like he was losing.

The verse is about contentment. Paul meant that Christ would strengthen him to be able to handle any trial or situation he experienced.

Tim Tebow's Interpretation of Philippians 4:13

I will use another athlete who explained the verse well. During an interview, Kurt Warner asked Tim Tebow for his favorite Bible verse. Tim replied that it was Philippians 4:13 and then he defined it this way, “I’d say the biggest thing with Philippians 4:13 is so many people, pastors included, believe the verse means, ‘I can do a lot of things.’ What I believe it really means, in context, is I can do all things, meaning I can handle all things. Whatever position God’s put me in. Maybe it’s poverty, maybe it’s a sickness, my kid’s sick, God’s going to give me the strength to handle that. So, I think it’s more talking about handling adversity than handling praise or accomplishing much. It’s talking about, ‘I can do all things,’ meaning all negative things: I can handle them all because of Christ.”

Tim had a tremendous college career. He was the first sophomore to win the most prestigious college award, the Heisman Trophy, and he was an important part of two national championship teams. If anyone could have misinterpreted Philippians 4:13 it was Tim, but he provided a good explanation of the verse.

What's Wrong with Misinterpreting Scripture?

I know I sound critical of people misusing verses. You might be saying, “These athletes, such as Ray Lewis and Adrian Peterson, are simply trying to glorify God. How can you give them a hard time?” I get it, but whenever people misinterpret Scripture, even if they do so well-meaningly, it is problematic. People listening are left with nagging questions, such as:

"Was God really that concerned with who won that game?"

"Did the winning team pray more than the losing team?"

"Did the losing team have less faith, or have more heathens or atheists than the winning team, so God didn’t favor them?"

Picture a young man watching his favorite athlete on television, and he thinks, “This is wonderful. I can also do all things through Christ who strengthens me! If I have enough faith, I will win at everything in life!” Then he loses and wonders:

"Did I not have as much faith as that athlete on television?"

"Was God pleased with him, but he is displeased with me?"

"Was God unable to give me the strength I needed?"

Imagine something considerably more serious than a football game is at stake, such as a young man lying in a hospital bed dying of a disease. He asks to have Philippians 4:13 put on the wall over his bed. Someone walks in the room, sees it, misunderstands it, and says, “Wow, you have a lot of faith. That’s great. You know Christ is going to heal you."

The young man understands the verse, so he replies, “I don’t know. What I do know is Christ will give me the strength I need for any outcome.” Like Daniel’s friends when they were threatened with the fiery furnace:

Daniel 3:17 Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace…18 But if [he does] not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the golden image that you have set up.”

Do Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 Teach that With God All Things Are Possible?

People love to loosely quote Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 and say, “With God all things are possible.” I get why people say this. Not only does it sound really good, this verse makes God himself sound good. The other two misquoted versus, Isaiah 54:17 and Philippians 4:13, are about us, but this verse is about God. It exalts him. Who wouldn’t want to say this? But are the verses really saying, "With God all things are possible"?

No, they are not. The verses sound like they are saying God helps people do anything, but:

It is impossible for God to help people sin.

It is impossible for God to help people do anything against his will.

So, what are Matthew 19:26 and Luke 18:27 saying? To correctly understand the verses, like we must do with every verse, we must look at the context. The verses flow from Jesus speaking to the rich young ruler who wanted to go to heaven. He was convinced he was righteous, so Jesus tried to help him see his sinfulness by exposing his covetousness:

The account of Jesus and the rich young ruler is sobering (Luke 18:18-23 and Mark 10:17-27). The rich young ruler looks zealous, humble, and sincerely interested in spiritual matters. But he was willing to walk away from Jesus because earthly wealth meant more to him than heavenly wealth. Read, listen, or watch this material from Your Finances God’s Way to learn more.

https://youtu.be/a3DW9WFj3S8

The account of Jesus and the rich young ruler is sobering (Luke 18:18-23 and Mark 10:17-27). He walked away because of his earthly wealth.

Table of contentsWhy Didn't Jesus Preach the Gospel to the Rich Young Ruler?Not Courtroom LawyersWe Would Be Justified by the Law If We Kept It PerfectlyWe Must Be Justified by Faith Because We Can’t Keep the Law PerfectlyThe Rich Young Ruler Is the Opposite of Little ChildrenFollowing Jesus Requires RepentanceDo We Need to Sell All that We Have and Give It to the Poor?Giving Up Earthly Treasure for Heavenly TreasureJesus Loved the Rich Young RulerJesus Isn’t Chasing Us DownRiches Choked Jesus Out of the Rich Young Ruler's Life

The problem with greed is not so much seen in our possessions, but rather what is possessing our hearts.

Sermon, Greed’s Graveyard, Luke 12:13-21, June 16, 2019. Randy Smith.

Read on to see how the rich young ruler's possessions possessed his heart.

Luke 18:18 And a ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

The parallel account in Mark 10:17 says, "As [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, [the rich young ruler] RAN UP and KNELT BEFORE HIM." The rich young ruler sounds:

zealous: he ran up to Jesus.

humble: he knelt before him.

respectful: he called him Good Teacher and seems to think highly of him

sincerely interested in spiritual matters: he asked one of the most important questions we can ask: What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He believes in God and he wants to go to heaven.

Jesus responded...

Luke 18:19 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone.

Jesus isn’t saying he isn’t good, and he isn’t saying he isn’t God. Instead, He’s saying there’s only One who is good and that’s God. If the rich young ruler calls Jesus good, he must also recognize he is God. Or another way to say it is, if the rich young ruler doesn’t recognize that Jesus is God, he shouldn’t be calling him good.

Luke 18:20a You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,

The seventh commandment.

Luke 18:20b Do not murder,

The sixth commandment.

Luke 18:20c Do not steal,

The eighth commandment.

Luke 18:20d Do not bear false witness,

The ninth commandment.

Luke 18:20e Honor your father and mother.’”

The fifth commandment. Apparently, when you’re Jesus, you can put the commandments in whatever order you want!

Why Didn't Jesus Preach the Gospel to the Rich Young Ruler?

If you weren’t familiar with this account, or in other words, if you didn’t already know how Jesus answered the rich young ruler’s question about inheriting eternal life, what would you expect Jesus to say? What would you say if someone asked you about inheriting eternal life?

"Repent and believe!"

Our minds can go to Paul and Silas receiving this question from the Philippian jailer…

Acts 16:30 [the Philippian jailer] said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 [Paul and Silas] said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”

So, why did Jesus respond this way? Was he describing another way to be saved? I’m not trying to sound irreverent, but did he forget the gospel? And believe it or not, this isn’t even the only place Jesus responded this way! This account has similarities with the lawyer who tested Jesus.

Luke 10:25 And behold, a lawyer stood up to put him to the test, saying, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

The similarity between the lawyer and the rich young ruler is they both asked the same good question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The difference is they had completely different motives:

The rich young ruler asked to learn.

The lawyer asked to put [Jesus] to the test. He wanted to trap him and make him look bad.

Not Courtroom Lawyers

When you read about lawyers, don’t think of courtrooms. Instead, think of the way lawyers in our day study the law for a living, and the lawyers in Jesus’s day studied the Mosaic Law for a living. Even priests and Levites didn’t know the law as well as them because they spent so much of their time performing sacrifices and serving in the temple.

The NIV and amplified Bibles say "expert in the law" versus lawyer. In the NKJV and NASB there’s a footnote that says lawyer could also be translated as "expert in the law." If anyone who could contend with Jesus in a debate, it would be a lawyer. But Jesus responded as brilliantly and effortlessly as every other time:

Luke 10:26 He said to him, “What is written in the Law? How do you read it?” 27 And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus told the rich young ruler and the lawyer to obey the 10 Commandments. Obey these two commands means obeying the 10 Commandments because they hang from these two. If you love God perfectly, you’ll obey commands one through four:

You won’t have other gods.

You won’t make idols.

You won’t take God’s name in vain.

You’ll keep the Sabbath rest…which we keep through resting in Christ’s finished work.

If you love your neighbor perfectly, you’ll obey commands 5 through 10:

You’ll honor your father and mother.

You won’t murder.

You won’t commit adultery.

You won’t steal.

You won’t give false testimony against your neighbor.

You won’t covet.

We Would Be Justified by the Law If We Kept It Perfectly

But we know we can’t inherit eternal life by obeying the Law, or keeping the Ten Commandments, so we would expect Jesus to tell the lawyer that he can’t keep these commands to be saved. Instead, he responded the same way he responded to the rich young ruler:

Luke 10:28 And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.”

Why did Jesus respond to these two men this way? He was simply answering their question! Much of his answer is contained in the word DO:

Luke 10:25 The lawyer asked, “Teacher, what SHALL I DO to inherit eternal life?”

Luke 18:18 The Rich Young Ruler asked, “What MUST I DO to inherit eternal life?”

They thought they were saved by DOING, so Jesus told them what to DO: keep the law perfectly. If they would’ve asked “HOW can I inherit eternal life?” versus “What MUST I DO to inherit eternal life?” maybe Jesus would’ve answered differently.

Maybe you’re uncomfortable with Jesus’s response because it seems like he misled them. But he didn’t. He told them one of the two ways to be saved. If you can keep the law perfectly you can be saved. And the law itself testified to this.

When the rich young ruler and the lawyer responded to Jesus they quoted the law. It is less obvious, but when Jesus responded to them, he also quoted the law. He said, “Do this and you will live,” and the words, “You will live,” were frequently attached to Old Testament verses associated with obeying God’s commands:

Deuteronomy 4:1 O Israel, listen to the statutes and the rules that I am teaching you, and do them, THAT YOU MAY LIVE.

Nehemiah 9:29 If a person [obeys your commandments], HE SHALL LIVE BY THEM.

Ezekiel 18:9 [Whoever] walks in my statutes, and keeps My rules by acting faithfully he is righteous; HE SHALL SURELY LIVE.

Because of this, it was well-known that if people obeyed God’s law perfectly, they would live, or inherit eternal life, so that’s how Jesus responded. But what’s the problem?

We Must Be Justified by Faith Because We Can’t Keep the Law Perfectly

The point of the law is to show us our sinfulness:

Romans 3:20 By works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.

This helps us understand what Jesus was doing with the lawyer and the rich young ruler. He was getting them to quote the law so they would see their sinfulness and need to be saved. Because none of us can do keep the law perfectly, God graciously provided a way for us to be justified, or declared righteous, by faith apart from the law:

Romans 3:21 The righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law…22 The righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe…28 For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law.

But with the lawyer we read:

Luke 10:29 But he, DESIRING TO JUSTIFY HIMSELF, said to Jesus, “And who is my neighbor?”

As sad as this response is, I love the way it is worded because it reveals the alternative to being justified, or declared righteous, by faith. We attempt to justify ourselves, or declare our righteousness, which is what the lawyer tried to do. I think the lawyer knew he couldn’t keep the law perfectly, but instead of submitting to Christ, he tried to lower the bar and make it more manageable by limiting who his neighbor might be.

The rich young ruler also did not recognize his sinfulness and need to be saved:

Luke 18:21 And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”

In a truly remarkable demonstration of pride, the rich young ruler claimed to have kept all the commandments…since he was a child. He believes the world’s most common lie: “I’m a good person.” Ask people why they will go to heaven and many of them will tell you they follow the 10 Commandments, just like the rich young ruler.

The Rich Young Ruler Is the Opposite of Little Children

The location of the account with the rich young ruler is significant. It is in all three synoptic Gospels (Matthew 19:16-26, Mark 10:17-27,

In Luke 11:49, Jesus called Himself “The wisdom of God.” Paul wrote, “Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God…Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God…in [Christ] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30, Colossians 2:3). Read or listen to this chapter from the Work and Rest God’s Way Family Guide to learn why Jesus is the wisdom of God.

Table of contentsJesus Is Wisdom IncarnateJesus Is Wiser Than SolomonJesus Is Wiser than the TeachersJesus is the Wisdom of the Book of ProverbsQuestionsFootnotes

Saying our children need the gospel is saying they need Christ. Work and Rest God’s Way and the accompanying Family Guide are meant to help you point your children toward Christ by giving them wisdom. Giving your children biblical wisdom is giving them Jesus because Jesus is the wisdom of God.

Consider these verses:

1 Corinthians 1:24—To those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:30—You are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and righteousness and sanctification and redemption.

Colossians 2:3—In [Jesus] are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Luke 11:49—Therefore the wisdom of God (referring to Jesus) said, "I will send them prophets and apostles, and some of them they will kill and persecute."

Notice, it doesn’t say some of the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Jesus. It says all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Him.

Jesus Is Wisdom Incarnate

When God became a Man in the Person of Jesus Christ, it was as though wisdom itself became a man; wisdom was incarnated. John 1:1 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” This refers to Jesus, and then John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” The Greek word for word is logos, which captures the Greek idea of divine reason or the mind of God. When the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, the wisdom of God became flesh and dwelt among us. Since the wisdom of God became flesh in the Person of Jesus Christ, we see wisdom manifested in Jesus’ life.

Jesus Is Wiser Than Solomon

It’s easier to appreciate Jesus’ wisdom if it’s contrasted with the wisdom of others. There were wise men in the Old Testament, such as Joseph and Daniel, but it doesn’t mean much to say Jesus was wiser than they were because they were not considered the wisest men in the Old Testament. That title belongs to Solomon, a man whose very name is associated with wisdom as much as Job’s name is associated with suffering. God told him, “I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you” (1 Kings 3:12).

There had never been anyone as wise as Solomon, and there would never be anyone as wise as Solomon. “Solomon’s wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the men of the East and all the wisdom of Egypt” (1 Kings 4:30). Solomon went on to write most of Proverbs, which is the book of wisdom. When you’re the human author of the Book of Wisdom, you’re wise, but Jesus said: “The queen of the South will rise up in judgment against this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:42). If God told Solomon “nor shall any like you arise after you,” how can Jesus say He’s greater than Solomon? Jesus is in a class by Himself. While Solomon was wise, Jesus is wisdom.

Jesus Is Wiser than the Teachers

Jesus’ wisdom manifested itself at a young age. There’s almost nothing recorded about His early life. Following His birth, we only have one story about Him when He was in the temple with the teachers (Luke 2:41-51). This account is about—of all things—His wisdom. Two verses serve as bookends:

Luke 2:40—The Child grew and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom.

Luke 2:52—Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.

In between these verses is the only account in the Bible from His childhood. Part of it reads:

After three days they found Him in the temple, sitting in the midst of the teachers, both listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers (Luke 2:46-47).

When Jesus was twelve-years-old, He was engaged in a theological dialogue with the teachers of the Law. These men, the wise men of the day, were amazed by what Jesus said. They recognized His wisdom. As Jesus grew, His wisdom continued to be manifested through His teaching: “They were astonished at His teaching…He began to teach in the synagogue. And many hearing Him were astonished, saying, ‘Where did this Man get these things? And what wisdom is this which is given to Him?’” (Mark 1:22, 6:2). Jesus’ wisdom was also manifested through His life. Seeing Jesus’ life is seeing wisdom on display. Jesus’ actions were wisdom lived out.

Jesus is the Wisdom of the Book of Proverbs

The Book of Proverbs is written as a father speaking to his son: “My son, hear the instruction of your father” (Proverbs 1:8).127 We also repeatedly read, “A wise son makes a glad father” (Proverbs 10:1, 15:20, and 29:3). Jesus was the perfectly Wise Son who makes His Father glad. Think of Jesus’ baptism: “A voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased’” (Matthew 3:17).

Since Proverbs is the book of wisdom, and Jesus is the source of all wisdom, teaching our children the Book of Proverbs is teaching them about Jesus. For our children to know the wisdom of proverbs is for them to know Jesus. The fourth paragraph of Chapter 3 of Work and Rest God’s Way, reads:

 In John 8:23, Jesus said, “I am from above.” James 3:17 says, “The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.” Jesus is the embodiment of the wisdom from above, and only in looking to Him in the Proverbs can the sluggard’s life be remedied.

Work and Rest God’s Way draws heavily on the Book of Proverbs and, in doing so, points readers to Christ. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” This is a good prayer for our children. As they receive Christ Jesus the Lord, they should walk in Him, referring to having a relationship with Him. They should be rooted and built up in Him, which is to say they should have roots that go down deep and produce growth in Him. As parents, our responsibility is to teach our children, so they’re established in the faith, having a firm foundation for the future. Children have the responsibility to remember that teaching, abounding in it with thanksgiving for Christ and what He’s done.

Questions

Look up wisdom in a dictionary and write it below. If you also have a Bible dictionary, look it up there and record it as well.

Explain what it means to you that all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Jesus.

Describe a time God allowed you to act in wisdom.

Describe a time you forsook wisdom.

How has God used your children to demonstrate wisdom to you? If you don’t have children, can you think of a time when God used a child? If you are a child or teen, can you think of a time someone younger than you had wisdom about something?

Find three verses from the book of Proverbs about wisdom that especially stuck out to you and write them down.

How can you help grow and cultivate deep roots in your child to have a relationship with Jesus? How would you explain to your child what having a relationship with Jesus means?

What additional things can you do so your children will be established in the faith?

Footnotes

All three synoptic Gospels record one of the most beloved accounts: Jesus blessed little children (Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17). Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, because the kingdom of God belongs to such as these." Learn why Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to infants and those like them.

Table of contentsJesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because the Kingdom of God Belongs to ThemTwo Points About Jesus Blessing the ChildrenWhy Would the Kingdom of God Belong to Infants?Jesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because They Exemplify Salvation Apart from WorksWhat Have Infants Done to Be Saved?Jesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because the Kingdom of God Belongs to People Like ThemTwo Reasons Humility Is Needed to Enter the Kingdom"Receiving" the Kingdom of God Like ChildrenThe Kingdom of God Probably Also Belongs to the Mentally HandicappedWhen We Were Told We Were Having a Down Syndrome ChildFirst, God Is Sovereign over DisabilitiesSecond, Disabilities Are not the Results of Parents' SinsThird, God Wants to Use Disabilities for His Glory

https://youtu.be/M-oi3bLugF4

In Luke 18:15-17 Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to infants. I preached four earlier sermons explaining why the kingdom of God belongs to infants:

Are Children Innocent?

The Biblical Age of Accountability

Sin Is Not Imputed Where There Is No Law

Do Babies Go to Heaven When They Die?

If you are reading this post, listening to the sermon, or watching the sermon, and you have questions, they were probably answered in these sermons.

All three synoptic Gospels record the beloved account of Jesus blessing little children (Matthew 19:13-15, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 18:15-17). We will be focusing on Luke's version:

Luke 18:15 Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. 16 But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. 

Jewish parents commonly sought out prominent rabbis, which Jesus was, to bless their infants. Not only did the disciples try to stop the parents from bringing their children, they rebuked them. It looks like the disciples rebuked the parents, but then Jesus rebuked the disciples.

This is not one of the shining moments for the disciples. If you ever wonder if God can use you, think of some of some of the things the disciples did, and you will be encouraged he can. When I look at the behavior of the disciples at times, I’m encouraged that God can use me.

In the parallel account Mark 10:14 says, "When Jesus saw [what the disciples did], HE WAS INDIGNANT." Based on what Jesus said, he seemed to be indignant because the disciples were destroying a spiritual truth he was trying to communicate. Infants were supposed to be able to come to Jesus physically, because it pictures infants being able to come to him spiritually, not just in this life but in the next. Preventing infants from being brought to Jesus could communicate they don’t have access to him.

Jesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because the Kingdom of God Belongs to Them

Jesus made it clear infants have access to him with the words, “To such belongs the kingdom of God.” The words "to such" are incredibly important. In the NIV, NASB, and Amplified, it says, "such as these." These words show Jesus wasn’t only saying the kingdom belongs to the infants brought to him. The kingdom also belongs to EVERY infant.

I’m not alone in interpreting this as a guarantee of babies’ salvation. When preaching on this passage John MacArthur said:

I am convinced that the Scripture is absolutely clear that when babies die and children die before reaching the point of personal accountability, they go to heaven. And I have collected all that material in a book.

I have a copy of John's book, Safe in the Arms of God, which I referenced during these sermons. If you desire to understand infant salvation deeper than what I have taught, I highly recommend this book.

[This] passage gives Kingdom citizenship to both children and those who are like children. [They] have not yet any understanding to desire His blessing but when they are presented to Him, He gently and kindly receives them and dedicates them to the Father by a solemn act of blessing. It would be cruel to exclude that age from the grace of redemption. It is an irreligious audacity to drive from Christ’s fold those whom He held in His arms and shut the door on them as strangers when He did not wish to forbid them.

John Calvin (2013). “Commentary on Matthew”, p.388, Ravenio Books.

I rejoice to know that the souls of all infants, as soon as they die, speed their way to Paradise. Think what a multitude there is of them!

C. H. Spurgeon’s Autobiography, Vol. 1, ch. XVI, “A Defence of Calvinism,” Passmore and Alabaster, 1897, p. 175.

Two Points About Jesus Blessing the Children

Mark 10:16 [Jesus] took [children] in his arms AND BLESSED THEM, laying his hands on them.

The parallel account in Mark’s gospel adds that Jesus blessed them.

First, Jesus only blessed the saved, which makes sense. How blessed could people really be if they went to hell? How bad it would it look if Jesus blessed people and then they didn’t go to heaven?

Second, Jesus blessed these babies, and if paedobaptism, or infant baptism, was biblical, we would also expect him to command the parents to have them baptized. But he didn’t.

Why Would the Kingdom of God Belong to Infants?

What is so commendable about infants that they get to receive the greatest possible gift?

First, infants can be very loving. Typically, they are happy to be held, hugged, kissed, sometimes doing these things even at very young ages.

Second, infants are forgiving. Even if infants are angry because they didn’t get what they wanted, they don’t hold grudges. When you return to an infant a little while later they are not upset with you about whatever it is they didn’t get. They do not keep a record of wrongs or harbor bitterness.

Third, infants are very trusting, and trust is synonymous with faith. Infants are so trusting that as they get older we must teach them to be LESS trusting. We say things like, “Don’t talk to strangers. You can’t trust everyone.”

Fourth, infants have sincere motives. When they smile, laugh, or giggle, it is completely genuine. They do it for no other reason than the joy they are experiencing. They don’t worry about how they appear to others. They don’t try to impress, which leads to the fifth thing about them...

Fifth, infants lack pride:

Ephesians 2:8 By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is NOT YOUR OWN DOING; it is the gift of God, 9 NOT A RESULT OF WORKS, so that no one may boast.

Our salvation is not our own doing and not a result of our works. As we get older we can start to become proud and believe we contributed something to our salvation. But infants don’t have this problem.

Jesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because They Exemplify Salvation Apart from Works

Considering there is no effort or merit on our parts to be saved, infants exemplify this incredibly well. They are the best example of the gospel’s recipients demonstrating divine grace and unconditional election.

When I use the term unconditional election, I’m not even using it in a Calvinist versus Arminian way. I am using it in the most generic way possible to describe people being elected independently of anything they have done or could do. There's no better example than babies. They have done nothing to be elected, yet they are. They have done nothing to deserve the kingdom of heaven, yet it belongs to them.

Luke 18:9 He also told this parable TO SOME WHO TRUSTED IN THEMSELVES THAT THEY WERE RIGHTEOUS, and treated others with contempt:

Jesus preached this parable to the religious leaders. Because they believed the kingdom of God belonged to those who were good enough, the idea that infants could be saved was detestable to them. When Jesus held these infants and said the kingdom belonged to them, it flew in the face of the religious leaders’ teaching that the kingdom of God belonged to those who did enough.

What Have Infants Done to Be Saved?

Some people struggle with infant salvation, because they don't think infants have done enough. But if we understand the gospel, what have any of us done to be saved? Nothing. We haven’t done more to be saved than infants. Or another way to say it is, infants haven’t done less than us to be saved.

Matthew 5:3 Blessed are THE POOR IN SPIRIT, for THEIRS IS THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN.

In Luke 18 Jesus said the kingdom of God belongs to children. Here he says the kingdom of God belongs to the poor in spirit. The poor in spirit know they have nothing with which they could earn their salvation. They don’t trust in their own righteousness. So, it is fitting that the kingdom of God belongs to infants. They don’t think they are spiritually rich. We must get older to become proud and believe we deserve to go to heaven.

A true Christian is poor in spirit, and MORE LIKE A LITTLE CHILD, and more disposed to a universal lowliness of behavior.

Jonathan Edwards, Treatise Concerning the Religious Affections, Yale edition, 339.

Jesus Said, “Let the Little Children Come to Me,” Because the Kingdom of God Belongs to People Like Them

After making the point that the kingdom of God belongs to children and those like them, Jesus presents the other side: The kingdom of God does NOT belong to people who are not like children:

Luke 18:17 Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

If we are not like infants, we don’t even get to enter the kingdom. The Kingdom of God so clearly belongs to infants,

People ask, "Do babies go to heaven when they die?" This applies to people who have lost babies, but all believers should be able to answer this question to be equipped to minister to others. In 2 Samuel 12:23, when David lost his child, he said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me." There are Bible verses about unborn babies going to heaven. Read on, watch, or listen if you want to know, "Do unborn babies go to heaven?"

Table of contentsThere Are Babies Who Were Going to Go to HeavenDavid Was Going to Go to Heaven as a BabyThe Prophet Jeremiah Was Going to Go to Heaven as a BabyJohn the Baptist Was Going to Go to Heaven as a BabyDavid's Child of Adultery Was Going to Go to Heaven as a BabyDavid Knew His Baby Would Be in HeavenFour Reasons It Is Wrong to Think David Was Only Saying He Would Die tooFirst, David Wouldn't Simply Acknowledge His DeathSecond, David Knew He Was Going to HeavenThird, David Comforted Himself with His WordsFourth, David Responded Differently to Absalom's DeathDavid Never Said He Would Go to AbsalomDavid Wanted to Die in Absalom's PlaceBabies Can Go to Heaven Without Exercising Personal FaithStriving to Understand How Babies Go to Heaven Without Saving FaithWayne Grudem Supports Babies Going to Heaven without Saving FaithGotquestions.org Supports Babies Going to Heaven without Saving FaithJohn Calvin Supports Babies Going to Heaven without Saving FaithGod Can Save Those Unable to BelieveJesus’s Sacrifice Is Sufficient for All to Be SavedUnderstanding a Wonderful but Confusing TruthThose Who Can Exercise Saving Faith Must Do So

https://youtu.be/6TwBoxL7Epk

People ask, "Do babies go to heaven when they die?" In 2 Samuel 12:23, King David said, "I will go to him, but he will not return to me."

There Are Babies Who Were Going to Go to Heaven

This post answers the question, "Do babies go to heaven when they die?" by building off the previous posts:

Are Children Innocent?

The Biblical Age of Accountability

Sin Is Not Imputed Where There Is No Law

Because babies are innocent, they haven’t reached the age of accountability, and sin is not imputed to them, we see examples of saved babies in the Bible. Don’t focus on the fact that there are few saved babies in the Bible. Instead, focus on the fact that there ARE saved babies in the Bible. If there was only one saved baby in the Bible, that would be significant, because it demonstrates that a baby can be saved.

David Was Going to Go to Heaven as a Baby

Psalm 22:10 On you was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

David didn’t say he knew God or had faith in God, as those are impossibilities for babies. But he did make two points. First, he said he was cast on God from his birth. This sounds like he was saved when he was born. Then he backed up even further and said God had been his God when was in the womb. To say God is someone’s God is Old Testament salvific language. David said he was saved before he was born.

The Prophet Jeremiah Was Going to Go to Heaven as a Baby

Jeremiah 1:5 [God said,] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”

God said two things to Jeremiah and the second doesn’t necessarily mean he was saved. God said he "consecrated," or some translations say "sanctified" (KJV and NKJV), which means "set apart." That’s how it’s translated in the NIV. This can simply mean that God set Jeremiah apart as a prophet as it said right after that.

But at the beginning of the verse God said he knew Jeremiah. Again, this is Old Testament salvation language. This language is carried forward in the New Testament. Speaking to believers Paul said:

Galatians 4:9 Now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God,

When people are unbelievers, on the day of judgment Jesus will say to them:

Matthew 7:23 “I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.”

Also, God said he knew Jeremiah BEFORE forming him in the womb. This is foreknowledge, which we also see in the New Testament:

Ephesians 1:4 [God] chose us in [Christ] BEFORE THE FOUNDATION OF THE WORLD, that we should be holy and blameless before him.

Or…

1 Peter 1:2 Those who are elect…2 according to THE FOREKNOWLEDGE OF GOD the Father,

The idea is just like God foreknew and chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world, he foreknew and chose Jeremiah unto salvation before he was even in the womb.

John the Baptist Was Going to Go to Heaven as a Baby

Luke 1:15 [The angel Gabriel said, “John] will be great before the Lord. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and HE WILL BE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT, EVEN FROM HIS MOTHER'S WOMB.

If you’re filled with the Holy Spirit, you’re saved, and John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit before he was born:

We might say that John the Baptist was ‘born again’ before he was born!

Wayne A. Grudem, Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine, page 500.

We are not saved by works, but works are evidence of salvation, and we are given evidence of John’s salvation:

Luke 1:41 When Elizabeth [John’s mother] heard the greeting of Mary, the baby [referring to John] leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit.

Salvation always produces fruit, and John’s leaping was evidence of his regeneration.

David's Child of Adultery Was Going to Go to Heaven as a Baby

More people cling to this account when they have lost a child to be encouraged they will see their child again, than any other in Scripture. David committed adultery with Bathsheba and tried to hide his sin by murdering her husband, Uriah. Bathsheba became pregnant and God told David the child would die:

2 Samuel 12:16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground. 17 And the elders of his house stood beside him, to raise him from the ground, but he would not, nor did he eat food with them. 18 On the seventh day the child died. And the servants of David were afraid to tell him that the child was dead, for they said, “Behold, while the child was yet alive, we spoke to him, and he did not listen to us. How then can we say to him the child is dead? He may do himself some harm.”

When the child was alive David fasted and spent all day and night on the ground praying. His servants were thinking: “If David was that upset about the possibility of the child dying, he might really do something drastic if he finds out the child is dead.” It doesn’t mean David was suicidal, but his servants thought he might be! But when David received the news:

2 Samuel 12:19 But when David saw that his servants were whispering together, David understood that the child was dead. And David said to his servants, “Is the child dead?” They said, “He is dead.” 20 Then David arose from the earth and washed and anointed himself and changed his clothes. And he went into the house of the Lord and worshiped. He then went to his own house. And when he asked, they set food before him, and he ate.

A child’s death might be the most painful experience for anyone to go through. I remember when my brother died, my assistant principal said it’s a parent’s worst nightmare to have to bury a child. That’s what David had to do, but interestingly if I had to use one word to describe David it wouldn’t be anguished, suffering, or afflicted. Instead, it would be the word peace. David looks like he is at peace. He did the opposite of what his servants expected. Instead of doing himself harm he cleaned himself up, ceased fasting, and had something to eat. 2 Samuel 12:20 even says David worshipped. This confused the servants…

2 Samuel 12:21 Then his servants said to him, “What is this thing that you have done? You fasted and wept for the child while he was alive; but when the child died, you arose and ate food.” 22 He said, “While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept, for I said, ‘Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me, that the child may live?’ 23 But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? "I will go to him, but he will not return to me.”

David Knew His Baby Would Be in Heaven

Look at the certainty with which David spoke: "I will go to him." He didn’t encourage himself with these words as though they were a possibility. To him they were a certainty.

Four Reasons It Is Wrong to Think David Was Only Saying He Would Die too

Instead of thinking David would go to be with the child in heaven, some people think David meant, “I shall go to the grave, like he went to the grave” or, "I will join the child in death." There are four reasons that this argument is wrong, and I want to go through them so we can be confident if we are ever in David’s place and lose a child, or we must counsel someone who has lost a child. This way we will be equipped to do so.

First, David Wouldn't Simply Acknowledge His Death

It doesn’t make sense that David only meant that he would die someday, like his son. There’s no reason for him to say something so blatantly obvious. Of course, he’s going to die someday too.

Second, David Knew He Was Going to Heaven

One of the main reasons some people think David was only saying he would join his son in the grave is the next life was veiled or shadowy in the Old Testament. People commonly said they were going to the grave or Sheol, without saying that they were going to heaven or hell. But few people in the Old Testament, if any, had as much revelation as David. He understood that for him the next life meant going to heaven:

Psalm 23:6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I SHALL DWELL IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD FOREVER.

David knew death wasn’t simply going to the grave. For him, it was going to heaven,