3. The rich young ruler forfeited special DISCIPLESHIP (Matt. 19:16-22).
As noted above, when the young man excitedly approached Christ, his interest was in achieving eternal life. He was implicitly warned of his self righteousness and idolatry of materialism that stood in the way of his salvation. The young man was a ruler; his values were wrapped up in an earthly, temporary dominion. This blocked the commitment that Christ deserved.
The young man was also invited to accompany Jesus, witness His miracles, and hear His teaching fist hand. Since the ruler did not agree, he missed out on the privilege of special DISCIPLESHIP in the presence of Jesus.
When the young man did not repent and forsake his misplaced faith, he lost real hope. Christ associates giving with hope: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matt. 6:19-21).
It is hard to calculate the blessings that the young man forfeited. Consider the opportunity offered to this rich man. He could have gained an eternal treasure! Jesus promised him this compensation: “… Go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven” (Matt. 19:21). It sounded like a radical challenge, and it was. Assuming the rich young man never repented and returned to Jesus later, he has an eternal regret for wasting his resources on his short-lived, insignificant “kingdom.”
What a contrast to recognize the scope and eternal duration of Christ’s dominion! His kingdom is no mere natural, political rule. Remember Christ’s words to Pilate during His trial: “My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight, so that I should not be delivered to the Jews; but now My kingdom is not from here” (John 18:36). When the Jewish ruling council was desperate to find a witness to condemn Jesus, they could find none. However, to fulfill His redemptive mission, Jesus gave them a testimony they could use in their murderous deliberations: “… Nevertheless, I say to you, hereafter you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Power, and coming on the clouds of heaven” (Matt. 26:64). The Sanhedrin accused Jesus of blasphemy, yet in doing so they committed blasphemy themselves as they condemned the innocent King of glory (1 Cor. 2:8; Psalm 24).
Christ’s prediction of His Second Coming was an allusion to Daniel’s prophecy of the Messiah’s glorious return: “I was watching in the night visions, And behold, One like the Son of Man, Coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, And they brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, That all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, Which shall not pass away, And His kingdom the one Which shall not be destroyed” (Dan. 7:13,14). Christ’s disciples are given the hope of reigning with Christ in the age to come! (1 Cor. 6:3; 2 Tim. 2;12; Rev. 5:10).
After the young man turned his back on Christ and walked away, the Lord reassured His special DISCIPLES’ hope: “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” [But, tragically, Judas Iscariot was excluded himself from this promise because he forfeited true discipleship.] “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first” (Matt. 19:28-30).
Conclusion
In reviewing the account of the rich young ruler we have considered three categories of Christian discipleship.
Initial discipleship designates all true believers. We can be saved by grace, through faith in Christ and His finished work. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works [including a discipleship process], which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:8-10)
Ideal Discipleship is our goal and calling to learn all that Christ wants to teach us. Whereas salvation is given freely by God’s grace, the path toward ideal Discipleship is costly. We need to deny our independent self, take up the cross and follow Him daily in obedience and perseverance (Luke 9:23). This walk is enabled by Christ’s indwelling Life. Paul exemplified this testimony: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).
Although special DISCIPLESHIP of the apostles and eye witnesses of Christ was limited to the first century A.D., New Testament believers have a special quality of learning that is better than Old Testament era. The apostle Paul again testified, “…according to the stewardship from God which was given to me for you [Gentiles], to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, but now has been revealed to His saints. To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory [special blessings in the grace dispensation]. Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus [ideal Discipleship]. To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily” (Col 1:25-29).
Having considered the account of the rich young ruler, may we not forfeit discipleship. Professing believers were warned, “how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him?” (Heb. 2:3). And, as true disciples, let’s embrace the call for ideal Discipleship, to be fully devoted to our Lord and Savior Who has much to teach us about Kingdom faith and practice. His invitation resonates today:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:28-30).
Part 4 of 4
The three categories of discipleship can be illustrated by an analogy and comparison with the marriage, calling, and privileges of Queen Esther.
Esther’s “Persian discipleship”
Esther was selected to join the royal women’s quarters to begin beauty preparations as a Queen candidate (like initial discipleship). After being chosen by King Xerxes, Esther had a special privilege and opportunity as the queen of Persia—the world empire back in the fifth century B.C. (like special DISCIPLESHIP). She then sought to fulfill her royal role as a queen (like ideal Discipleship), unlike Queen Vashti who failed to do so.
Esther’s “Abrahamic discipleship”
Considering her role as a Hebrew believer, Esther was born into an Israelite family and learned of God’s covenant with His people (like initial discipleship). In a time of crisis Esther demonstrated wholehearted commitment to rescue her people. In response to Haman’s sinister plan to massacre of all Jews she declared to Mordecai, “Go, gather all the Jews who are present in Shushan, and fast for me; neither eat nor drink for three days, night or day. My maids and I will fast likewise. And so I will go to the king, which is against the law; and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:16). Her was decision to risk her life was evidence of her ideal Discipleship. As one who became a famous heroine in redemption history, Esther became a special DISCIPLE.
Copyright 2007, 2026 by John Woodward. Permission is granted to reprint this article for non-commercial use. Bible quotations are from the New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson.