From Jesus’s many encounters during his ministry on Earth, two individuals emerge with compelling experiences that beg for comparisons.
Let’s start with what they shared in common :
- Both were Jewish
- They had high-ranking positions in their communities
- Each one had gained some respect and admiration
- Both had become very rich
- They had everything they wanted
- In their way, each one was on the path to success.
- They had heard about Jesus’ ministry
- They wanted and pursued a meeting with Jesus.
Now, let’s delve into the differences between these two individuals, which add depth and diversity to Jesus’ encounters.
- One was respected and admired because of his social and leadership achievements, while the other was respected and admired out of fear.
- Society welcomed and embraced one, and the other was rejected and ignored.
- One was considered a “rising star,” a leader to come, while the other was seen as a traitor.
- One felt confident about being a righteous son of Abraham, while the other knew he was among the rejected.
- Jesus’ encounter with one is mentioned three times in the Bible; the other is only mentioned once.
These are indeed similar and antagonistic characters, and from this duo, Jesus chooses one and walks to a city with the sole intention of meeting with him.
As you may have noticed, we are discussing the Rich Young Ruler and Zacchaeus, the Tax Collector. These are well-known characters in the Bible and the focus of many children’s stories.
The Rich Young Ruler had everything “positive” regarding the social expectations for Jesus’ time; what more could somebody ask from him? He was young, rich, and already a ruler. The Rich Young Ruler had all the relevant religious and political credentials anyone would dream of. He was the poster example for any parent for their kid’s future. He was a winner.
On the other hand, we have Zacchaeus, who had the worst career in Jewish society: a tax collector. Due to his profession, he was considered a traitor to his people. But he was not just “a tax collector” but the “chief tax collector.” What kind of life goals did Zacchaeus have?: “I don’t just want to be hated by my people for being a tax collector; no, that’s too low; I want to be the chief tax collector and also be hated by all other tax collectors.” Well, he did that, and as a plus, he was a thief, which made him very rich and hated by the community.
If there was a competition program called “Jewish Have Talent,” and the price was a meeting with Jesus, surely the Rich Young Ruler would get all the points. It will be considered an insult to add Zacchaeus as a contender. I can’t imagine all the booing and rejection from the audience. Of course, the Rich Young Ruler has to win, no contest!
But this was not a human contest, and it was not the first time appearances misled humans. The prophet Samuel was in a similar situation many centuries ago, and God had to correct him: “Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outside of a person. But the Lord looks at what is in the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIrV)
Jesus knew these two characters wanted to meet him, but He went to Jericho to meet Zacchaeus and surprised him. This encounter transforms Zacchaeus, and he says: “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of what I own to those who are poor. And if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay it back. I will pay back four times the amount I took.” (Luke 19:8 NIrV)
On the other hand, Jesus does not search for the Rich Young Ruler; he goes on His ministry pathway as if the young man did not exist. The Young Rich Ruler waited until the last moment to meet Jesus, as the Bible explains. “As Jesus started on his way [He was leaving], a man ran up to him. He fell on his knees before Jesus. ‘Good teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to receive eternal life?'” (Mark 10:17 NIrV) And Jesus responds: “You are still missing one thing. Sell everything you have. Give the money to those who are poor. You will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.” (Luke 18:22 NIrV)
Then, the contender with the highest social approval leaves Jesus and rejects His call: “The man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he was very rich.” (Mark 10:22 NIrV)
After this encounter, Jesus utters one of His famous phrases, which we all surely remember and heard many sermons about: “It is hard for a camel to go through the eye of a needle. But it is even harder for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:25 NIrV) This phrase is a powerful and, at the same time, dark statement for anyone who considers himself rich.
However, consider this phrase again and ask yourself: Is it really that hard for rich people? Before you answer, think about it a little more and ask yourself again: Is it hard for rich people to be saved?
So, If it is so hard for rich people to enter the kingdom of God, how did Zacchaeus do it? He was also very rich, right? And he succeeded! He passed through the eye of the needle! What are we missing here? Is it hard or not?
In 1984, singer Madonna told a TV interview about her dream for the future: “To rule the world.” Later, in a 2019 magazine interview, she explained the three necessary elements to rule the world: being pretty, rich, and famous. And she is right; let’s notice how society is run today, which is not different from the past. These three elements are people’s obsessions.
Let’s look at how the Bible describes one of the characters: the Rich Young Ruler. The formula is there: young (pretty), rich, and ruler (famous). The Rich Young Ruler was already “ruling the world,” as Madonna will say. How does a young person quickly become rich and a ruler? Personal influence: Family and friends help. When somebody helps with a career, it always ends with social debt. The network connection becomes the most precious thing.
The Young Ruler did everything “legal” to climb to power. He indeed had the family name and social circle backing him up. With help, he got the right jobs in the right places. He got high academic degrees not because he wanted to become a University Professor doing research, which a higher degree is for, but to get the credentials to be “eligible” when climbing the power ladder. He became a ruler, and his career was only starting. Being rich was just a consequence of these career decisions. He had a bright future ahead of him.
How could he give up everything he had and represent and follow a Master whom the religious leaders did not evenaccept? Giving up money and social connections that lead to incredible things is not a clever career decision. He was already part of the righteous group and doing what was “good.”
On the other hand, we have Zacchaeus, who was short, which is not a socially high-ranking feature; he was rich but infamous. But more than infamous, he was hated. At some point, Zacchaeus had to think: My life should not be like this; I hear about Jesus who can clean my sins, I want to be saved, I want to meet Him. Was this easy? Of course not. But he did it.
What a contrast with the Rich Young Ruler, who lived a life knowing he had everything right but wanted to meet Jesus to get another “social credential” of approval—a new token to add to his successful career.
Jesus had a message for this character, blind by power and success, in Revelation: “You say, ‘I am rich. I’ve become wealthy and don’t need anything.’ But you don’t realize how pitiful and miserable you have become. You are poor, blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:17 NIrV)
While reading Jesus’s words, “It is even harder for someone who is rich to enter God’s kingdom!” we could get a false sense of security because we are not “rich,” but it is not about money. It is about treasuring how much we have built ourselves to be where we are now.
If God calls you to leave what you are, what you have, what you have socially built, will you do it? Will you leave the degrees, the social network, and the bright future yet to come? When we are comfortable, we have the highest chance of getting lost, and sometimes, it is difficult to leave things behind and easy to ignore God’s call.
But we have hope because Jesus told us, “With people, this is impossible. But not with God. All things are possible with God.”
Italo Osorio – Copyright 2024
Photo by Ritchie Valens on Unsplash
