Did Jesus ever show favoritism?
How is it that you are reading this right now?
Please read Matthew 19:17-22
Vs. 17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”………… Vs. 21Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
Why did Jesus love Lazarus? Wasn’t He a rich man and didn’t he keep his possessions?
Wasn’t Jesus laid in the tomb of a rich man? Was Jesus picking on this particular rich man and if so why?
Is this passage the opposite of Grace?
Remember this is the same Jesus about whom it was written, “Be Holy as He is Holy.” So if he showed favoritism should we?
Perhaps you face the same dilemma as the “rich young ruler” here. It’s the dilemma of being “good enough.” Let me give you a big suggestion- Stop trying you will only die tired!
You will never be “good enough” and I believe that is part of the message here. But you can be Holy as He is Holy- by Grace!
If we hold this passage literally to be correct then you must unplug your computer right now, take it to the pawn shop along with everything else you own and take the money you get from it and give it to the poor. And Jesus showed favoritism.
OR
Look at this passage more closely and understand that Jesus was preaching Grace here yet again- How?
Because Grace, the “new covenant” that Jesus set up says:
1) Following the law will never make you good enough (That’s why Jesus came- otherwise His death was a suicide)
2) Anything that you hold more important than a spiritual walk with Christ will destroy you- to include your image, money, position, power or good works
3) Only total reliance on Jesus through Faith (evidence of the unseen) by Grace (Free unearned and unmerited gift) will make you holy
4) Knowing the Truth of this will set you Free from the Law of sin and of death (“You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free”)
5) The Law is still good and useful but its purpose ended when Jesus came in
