MEMORY SCRIPTURE
But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life
(John 5:40).
Refusing Jesus’ mentorship denies transformative wisdom, hindering spiritual growth. The rich young ruler and Judas Iscariot rejected Jesus’ guidance for self-interest.
DEVOTIONAL BIBLE READINGS
Mon. 8. Certainty Often Mishandled (1 Tim.6:7)
Tue. 9: Consider Your Ways (Hag. 1:3-6)
Wed. 10: Demas Loves The World (2 Tim. 4:10)
Thu. 11: Jesus Is Knocking Your Door ( Rev.3:20)
Fri. 12: The Laodicean Church (Rev.3:17)
Sat. 13: The Rich Fool (Lk 12:16-21)
DEVOTIONAL THOUGHT
The pathway to following Christ is a narrow one. It cannot accommodate you and other things.
INTRODUCTION
TEXTUAL SOURCE: Matthew 26:6-16; Mark 10:17-22
In our last lesson, we learnt how Jesus, despite being very busy, took time to help people who were physically chalienged.
Today, we are looking at two examples: the rich young ruler and Judas Iscariot. They both had the special opportunity to be close to Jesus, but they didn’t make the most of it. The rich young ruler couldn’t give up his wealth, and Judas wanted to use his relationship with Jesus to become rich. Sadly, things didn’t end well for either of them. Let’s make sure we learn from their mistakes and make wise choices in our own lives today!
LESSON OUTLINE
- THE DISCIPLE CALLED JUDAS ISCARIOT
- THE RICH YOUNG RULER
LESSON EXPOSITION
THE DISCIPLE CALLED JUDAS ISCARIOT (Matt. 26:6-16)
…And said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver
(v. 15).
a) v.14:Judas was graciously selected by Jesus as one of His disciples (cf. Matt. 10:4; Jn. 6:70; Acts 1:17) but was sadly characterised by hypocrisy, dishonesty (Jn. 12:5-6), and treachery (Mk. 14:10, LK.
22:47). What type of disciple are you?
b) v.6-8: These verses how Judas wasn’t loyal to Jesus, pretending to care while planning betrayal. He prioritised selfishness over faithfulness (cf. Jn. 12:6).
c) vv. 6-13: While Jesus saw the breaking of the Alabaster box as a memorial, Judas saw it as an opportunity to enrich himself. True disciples have Jesus’ mind (cf. Php. 2:5). Like Gehazi under Elisha (2 Kgs. 5:20-27), Judas was obviously not ready to follow His Master’s righteous footsteps.
d) vv. 14-15: Judas greed and unreadiness to follow the Lord’s example coupled with his hatred for Him came alive here as he …went to the chief priests and said, “What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you?” What a perilous follower destined for destruction (Mk 14:10,11;Lk. 22:3-6) Ask Gehazi.
e) Lk. 22:3: Then Satan entered Judas… Even though Jesus corrected the misconception (Matt. 26:10-13), why did Satan still enter Judas heart? His greed led him to betray his Lord, losing his place in God’s plan (Psa.69:25; 109:8; Acts 1:20). Be cautious!
THE RICH YOUNG RULER (Mk. 10:17-22)
At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
(v.22)
a) v.17: Unlike Nicodemus (In. 3:1,2), the unnamed young ruler eagerly, met Jesus, eager for spiritual guidance. He displayed humility by kneeling before Jesus, a thing that showed his initial openness to
mentorship.
b) vv.17-22: The young ruler desired divine guidance but lacked humility to accept Jesus’ mentorship, showing pride and reluctance to fully submit. His belief in salvation through works relects refusal to accept Jesus’ mentorship on the true path to eternal life.
c) vv. 18-19: Jesus redirected the young ruler’s focus to the Law, challenging him to recognise his need for guidance and correction, but his self-righteousness blinded him to Jesus’ mentorship.
d) vv. 20-21: Despite claiming obedience to the commandments, the young ruler’s refusal to surrender his wealth shows his resistance toJesus’ mentorship. This reveals his attachment to worldly possessions over spiritual growth (1 Tim. 6:6-10).
e) v. 21: Jesus compassionately helped him grow spiritually despite his attachment to possessions. This shows His role as a caring Mentor guiding others towards a deeper grasp of eternal life.
f) vv. 21b-22: Jesus exposed his idolatry of wealth, offering him an opportunity for change through mentorship, yet the ruler’s refusal to let go of his possessions made him extremely sorrowful, and missed spiritual blessings.
LESSONS DERIVED
- The condition of your heart in following Jesus will show, if vou are really following Him or not.
- It is not enough to start well. One thing is needful: to press towards the mark and get there.
QUESTIONS
- Peter quoted Psalms 109:8 and 69:25 in Acts 1:20. Do you think Judas was in mind when this prophetic Psalm was written?
- Jesus told the young ruler that he lacked one thing but still mentioned more than one. Discuss.
