Devotional Thoughts: 2 paths to eternal life?

Am looking at Matthew 19:16-26 on this Christmas morning.

This is the famous story of the rich young ruler who wants to know how to get eternal life.

Jesus answered by listing 5 (do not murder, commit adultery, steal, lie and honor parents) of the 10 commandments plus love your neighbor.

Those familiar with the Bible will scratch their hands and think of the even more famous John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."

Is Jesus saying there are TWO paths to eternal life?

What do you think?

It would seem so.

One path is the path of WORKS. Hence, Jesus listing the commandments. It is odd that Jesus omitted the 4 commandments pertaining to God and love God. Perhaps Jesus is trying to establish the works one would do apart from a relationship with God.

The other path is the path of GRACE. Hence, Jesus puts Himself at the center: whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

What if the Rich Young Ruler, instead of walking away, after hearing the high standard of the law said to Jesus, "I can't do it and I've tried hard but I can't live up to the standard."

What would Jesus' response have been?

Jesus would say, do not despair, there is another way and give him John 3:16.

How do the two paths cross?

They do so in the life and death and resurrection of Jesus.

The path of WORKS requires (1) a righteous life and (2) payment for sin.

Jesus life was the perfect life and his death was payment for sin. Thus, when we take Christ into our lives there is a great exchange: our sinful life is replaced by his righteous life and our punishment for sin is paid for by his death on the Cross. His resurrection is victory over sin and death and new life and when we take him into our lives, we get that too.

Having seen Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe recently, the substitution concept is vividly illustrated by Aslan. Go see the movie!

Lord, thank you that you came to this world which we celebrate in Christmas to begin the restoration which you finished on Easter!