Preface:

There is a literal place of eternal punishment ("hell") for those who have not tursted Jesus Christ as their personal, substitutionary sin-bearer. [Rev 20:15 If anyone's name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.]

Rom 3:22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, p through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished_26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. (Cf. John 3)

I. Preliminary Concepts

A. John, Jesus, and the disciples all proclaimed the same good news:  "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

Mat 3:1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 4:17 From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near."

B. The kingdom coming from  heaven (not the kingdom which is heaven [cf. kingdom of God in parallel passages in Luke to the Sermon on the Mount, it is not the kingdo m which is God, but the kingdom which comes from God] note also that in the Greek, heaven is in the plurals, so it can't be the kingdom which is heavens, but rather the kingdom which comes from the heavens.) is that which was promised in the Davidic Covenant,  (II Sam 7; Ps 89) ie, a literal rule over earth centered in Jerusalem. 

Lk 1:31 You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. 32 He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, 33 and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end."

C. The desired response to the good news was that of believing that the promised kingdom was coming in which righteousness would be rewarded, and thus to stop living as if this world was the only one.  (Thus you would share your food and clothes, knowing that God would judge and reward you for doing so.)

Lk 3:10 "What should we do then?" the crowd asked. 11 John answered, "The man with two tunics should share with him who has none, and the one who has food should do the same." 12 Tax collectors also came to be baptized. " Teacher," they asked, "what should we do?" 13 "Don't collect any more than you are required to," he told them. 14 Then some soldiers asked him, "And what should we do?" He replied, "Don't extort money and don't accuse people falsely_be content with your pay."

C1. Faith is believing that God is who He said He is and will do what He said He'll do.

Heb 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

C2. Faith was not necessarily belief that Jesus died for sins so you wouldn't have to, but belief that God would do what He said, be it accepting Christ's death on our behalf, or  promise of God's blessing.

Gen 15:5 He took him outside and said, "Look up at the heavens and count the stars_if indeed you can count them." Then he said to him, "So shall your offspring be."6 Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

D. It is more than likely that the audience of John and Jesus (in the first half of the Gospels) were already going to heaven rather than hell because they were offering the blood sacrifices mandated by God for forgiveness. They believed God when He said in Leviticus, offer this sacrifice and you'll be forgiven. (To my knowledge, there is no OT evidence that an Jew had to be looking forward to a Messiah dying for them. They just had to exercise faith in what God had said He'd do if they participated (sincerely?) in the stipulated OT system.

Lev 1:4 He is to lay his hand on the head of the burnt offering, and it will be accepted on his behalf to make atonement for him. 4:26 He shall burn all the fat on the altar as he burned the fat of the fellowship offering. In this way the priest will make atonement for the man's sin, and he will be forgiven. [see also 4:35; 5:10, 13,15,18; 6:7; 19:22]

D1.From God's standpoint the sacrifices only covered over the sin until Christ died to take away the sin. God, standing outside of time looked immediatedly at the death of Christ, the worshipper could only look at God's word and promise. The OT sacrifices couldn't cleanse the conscience and had to be repeated and in other ways were deficient, but they secured forgivenss.

D2. The view of OT forgiveness  which states that the worshipper/sacrificer had to be looking forward to the Messiah as he offered his lamb or goat is based upon extra-biblical writings and  nowhere clearly stated in the Law, and obscurely refered to in the prophets. If looking forward to the Messiah's death was such an important part of the sacrificial  system , then why didn't God  state that was required instaed of repeatedly offering a promise of forgiveness that had a hidden catch?

II. THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT = How to get rewards/blessed in the Kingdom

A. Note the number of times blessing and reward is mentioned in the sermon. There is not mention of the blood sacrifice securing atonement and forgiveness. Note also who is addressed. If John 2:11 occured chronologically before the Sermon, then there is a clear statement that the disciples were believers (in Jesus as Prophet, their belief in Him as King didn't come until Peter's confession that He was the Christ, and their belief in Him as Priest came after the Resurrection [Study "belief" and the disciples.]). In light of any teaching about Jesus dying for one's sins (which didn't come about until the nation rejected Him) it would be reasonable to assume that the issue faced by His audience was very parallel to that of believers today and those believers to whom the synoptic gospels were written, ie, "how should a believer live to please God ?" Recall that the Gospels were written to believers not so much to authenticate (althoughthat was a partial purpose, but to activate believers to service. John's gospel is the only one written to unbelievers and believers (life-abundant life).

Mt 5:1 Now when he saw the crowds, he went up on a mountainside and sat down. His disciples came to him, 2 and he began to teach them, saying: 3 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.5 Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.  6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 "Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.

B. Note also what one has to do to get blessed. Blessing does not equal forgiveness. If it did, than failure to be peacemakers or failure to be persecuted would mean that a person failed to obtain forgiveness and went to the lake of fire rather than heaven, just becuase no one persecuted them.

B1. v12 Reward is a cause for rejoicing. The issue is reward not heaven. Heaven is assumed as already a possession.

5:12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

B2. v13-16 The issue is glorifying God by good works, a discipleship passage, no forgiveness in mentioned. Failure to do what JEsus instructed does not reslut in the lake of fire, but rather worthlessness for further service (in the kingdom).

5:13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men...16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

B3. v19 Note that the lawbreaker and hypocritical teacher is not cast into the lake of fire but rather is least in the kingdom, they apparently are still in the kingdom.

5:19 Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.

5:20 For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven.

v20 See on enter =take up possession in IV.

C.  See the section on Hell for the rationale for not equating Gehenna with the lake of fire. It is more likely that the references to the Valley of Gehenna where the unprofitable garbage was burned outside the city, away from the presence of the King refers to unprofitable servants being deprived of rewards rather than the eternal torment of the unregenerate in the lake of fire. For now, just notice the corrective or preventative to Gehenna.

v22 don't say "you fool", but rather reconcile ruptured relationships so that worshipful service is acceptable to God. (No one ever says one has to be reconcilled to one's brother before one can accept the gift of salvation (forgiveness) but here Jesus said one must be reconcilled with one's brother before God will accept a gift of service.)

v27 I've yet to hear an altar call where one is invited to pluck out their eye or cout off their hand to avoid going into the lake of fire.

5:22 But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother  will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, 'Raca, ' is answerable to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, 'You fool!' will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23 "Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift.

5: 27 "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' 28 But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart. 29 If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.

D. Note the following clear statments on reward as a result of works of righteousness. One can't  logically argue that we are not instructed to work for a reward. Jesus was not just teaching against self-righteousness, for then His conclusion (as that of many modern preachers) would be trust in the Substitutionary Atonement, but instead we find a call to put into practice the teaching (see the end of the Sermon). Jesus was obviously motivating His hearers to godly living with hope of reward in the kingdom.

5:44 But I tell you: Love your enemies  and pray for those who persecute you, 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?

Luke 6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."6:38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Mat 6:1 "Be careful not to do your 'acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven. 2 "So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6:5 "And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 6:6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

6:16 "When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show men they are fasting. I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face,18 so that it will not be obvious to men that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

E. Those who claim they aren't interested in rewards and that they are only motivated by the love of Jesus, should note that Jeus said if you love me keep my commandments, and here commands beleivers to lay up treasure in heaven.

6:19 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.

6:20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

F. The admonition to seek the kingdom serves as the conclusion to a chapter where focus is on living your life here in such a way that your heavenly Father will reward you in the future. Righteousness is a state of being in conformity to God's will as revealed in His communition to us (Gen 15:6). There is no mention about blood sacrifice or atonement in the chapter or the book yet for that matter, so the issue isn't justification but glorification (=being blessed in heaven).

6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

G. Since thus far in the Sermon the issue has clearly been earning reward in the Kingdom, the burden of proof is upon those who want to read the following verses and ending as teaching about justification.  v13 Destruction does not always mean "perdition" or lake of fire every time it occurs (if indeed it ever means that) but  rather it refers to loss of something valuable . In Matthew's only other use of the noun (26:8) it refers to waste of precious ointment. His use of the verb refers to general loss (ie, losing a coin or sheep) and frequently to loss of reward in discipleship passages. In Mt 10:39 and 16:24 we are actively told to lose our lives/souls in exchange for God's reward. Life also in 7:14 does not immediately equate with heaven but as will be seen under IV. it frequently is used by Jesus in the gospels to refer to reward or dominion in the kingdom.

7:13 "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.

7:14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

10:39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

16:24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life p will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

2 John 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

v8 A clear reward context, used as a motivation for obedience and  teaching that one works for reward and that reward can be lost. The word for lost is that same as that used for those following the wide path in Mt 7.

H. The issue of fruitfulness in 7:19 can refer to burning of I Cor 3:17 or John 17 more easily than the lake of fire of Rev 21. The issue is good fruit vs bad or no fruit rather than forgiveness.

7:19 "Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.

I Cor 3:14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.

I. Again the context of the Sermon points to a reward motivation for believers in interpreting 7:22ff

7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' 24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

I1. The issue is not "Savior, Savior" because the suggested corrective course of action is not belief in Calvary, but works. Coming at the end of the Sermon on the Mount would lave to push the argument in favor of a rewards interpretation, unless there is not just possible but necessary evidence to the contrary. Remember: enter can mean take up possession.

I2. Those making the appeal are either: 1) those who have done miralces in Jesus' name and spoken under the power of the Holy Spirit yet have not been obedient to the teachings of the Sermon; or 2) those who have been energized by Satan to do counterfiet  miracles in the name of Jesus. The former are much more in keeping with the context and conclusion of the Sermon, while the latter introduces concepts totally out of keeping with the Sermon, which would need more explanation before any conclusion (and a different conclusion as well.).

I3. Jesus said he didn't know these people who were "evil doers" (as opposed to those who did His word). Know has numerous meanings and connotations: from understanding, to acquaintance, to recognition. It is quite possible (particularly in light of the previous use of the word in recognizing good or bad fruit) that Jesus is saying that He never recognized the evil doers as profitable servants of His (because their disobedience hindered such a relationship) or that He was never intimately acquainted with them as lovers would be.

I4. The conclusion to the Sermon is an exhortation to build one's life on the teaching of Jesus concerning how to get blessed in the kingdom (not an exhortation  to trusti in the solid Rock of Christ's death). Those who failed to apply the Sermon suffered the loss of all they had built (lived for) even if what they had been living for had religious intent and effect (v 22). The collapse of one's house is catastrophic and tragic, but not the same as being cast into the lake of fire.

Mt 10:32 "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.

Lk 8:18 Therefore consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has will be taken from him."

Mt 10:37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 40 "He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man's reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward."

III. CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP

 A. Note that the call is to believers.

B. Life and soul are the same Greek word and stand for all that a person's is and does.(I Pt 5)

C. The issue is rewards not forgiveness. For what will a person exchange the days of his life?  To follow as a disciple one must: deny self; take up cross; follow.

Mt 16:22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. " Never, Lord!" he said. " This shall never happen to you!" :23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life  will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done.

C1. The Son of Man will come with glory to share His glory with those who are faithful to Him. Glory is almost synonymous with reward and rulership or dominion or life. See I Peter 1.

Mk 8:33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. " Get behind me, Satan!" he said. " You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." 34 Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul? 37 Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels."

C2. Being ashamed is failing to receive glory, not, getting cast into the lake of fire. If Jesus is ashamed of us, He won't recognize us as one of His faithful servants.

Lk 9:23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? 26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. 27 I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God."

C3. Jesus is ashamed of those who have failed to acknowledge Him before others (do good works in His name, testify, witness, etc). He is seeking to motivate to self-denial discipleship, not the acceptance of the free gift of justification.

The choice is being profited or being deprived of reward (forfeit blessing) or suffering loss. (See on Mat 7:17 for loss).

IV. INHERITING ETERNAL LIFE

A1.  Inherit does not automatically equate with justification. To inherit can mean "to have an inheritance"

Col 3:24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

Heb 6:12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

BAGD  2. acquire, obtain, come into possession of something.

L-S  2. acquire, obtain, come into possession of (n.  kl. lamb_nein tin_v to take possession of. . )

TDNTA  It may be noted that in Greek, Egyptian, Hellenistic, and Jewish law children were always heirs, but Roman law allowed parents a freedom of testamentary disposition.[W. Foerster, III, 758-69]

A2. Enter does not necessarily just mean to step over the threshold, but  has demonstrated NT meanings of to take possession or have a share in something.

Lk 24:26 "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?"

Lk 8:33 And the demons came out from the man and entered the swine; and the herd rushed down the steep bank into athe lake, and were drowned. (Also Mk 5:13 )

BAGD  2. fig._a. of pers.: come into something=share in something, come to enjoy something

A3. Some verses indicate eternal life is a gift, unearned, others indicate it is a reward for works.

Zane Hodges: "No one receives eternal life as a reward who has not first received it as a gift. [See Appendix on Eternal life. Most verses indicate eternal life is the result of works, and occur in reward contexts.] Even in the Gospel of John where the gift concept of eternal life is clearest, there are reward passages relating to eternal life (John 12:25; 17:2,3,12 note the subjunctive mood). I John 4:7 seems to differentiate being born again and knowing God (cf. 17:3).

A4. Life can mean mastery or dominion. Death can mean loss of dominion.

Adam and Eve "died"  when they sinned, yet still talked with God. The only obvious immediate change was that they could now see they nakedness. Possibly they had been clothed with glory  and lost it. (Cf. II Cor 4-5) [See under "image of God".]

A5. In I Timothy 6, laying hold of eternal life is clearly seen to mean doing good works for future reward. Verse 19 is a good example of a different translation of "eternal".

I Tim 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the aappearing of our Lord Jesus Christ,

6:17 Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed. (Greek = eternal life).

B. MATTHEW'S ACCOUNT

B1. Note that Jesus challenges erroneous conceptions even to the point of nitpicking. For instance, the term "good" is used incorrectly by the man . Since only God is "good" then to recognize that Jesus is "good" or to ask Him about the teaching regarding "good"  should be to recognize that He is God and should be obeyed as such,  yet the Jewish opposition wasn't responding to Him as such. Thus Jesus highlighted their inconsistence on even a minor point. With such exactness prefacing His response, one would expect that the rest of His answer would be specific and exact, not leaving room for ambiguity. Jesus did not challenge the man's thought on the necessity of doing (working) being required for eternal life. To have left the man with such a fatal misconception regarding forgiveness would have been unconscionable for Someone who gave His life so that those who believed could obtain forgiveness.

Mt 19:16 Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" 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, obey the commandments." 18 "Which ones?" the man inquired.  Jesus replied, "'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.' " 20 "All these I have kept," the young man said. " What do I still lack?" 21 Jesus 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." 22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

B2. Question: v16  do to get ?

B2a. What does he have to do?

17 If you want to enter life, obey

21 sell and give, then follow (as a disciple)

B2b. What does he get?

17 If you want to enter life

21a If you want to be perfect,

21b you will have treasure in heaven.

23 it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

24  a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

25  "Who then can be saved?"

B3a  Jesus doesn't correct the man's misconception about doing rather than believing because doing is required.

B3b. Nor does Jesus dispute the man's claim about keeping the commandments   (In Marks account it is recorded that Jeus looked at the man and loved him after he gave his response.)[See note B4.]

B3c. Getting eternal life is equated with entering, being perfect (complete) and having treasure in heaven,entering the kingdom of heaven/God, and  salvation (not justification).

B3d. Obedience to the commandments and self denial are required (not simple trust)

B4.[Note: Some expositors claim to bring out the impossibility of keeping the commandments as if God gave something that people would be constantly frustrated in their ability to keep. Apparently there were individuals who were pleasing in God's sight in the OT. And obviously there were hypocrites in the NT audience. The commands were given as guidlines for behavior that was expected, not just to get men to turn to Christ a thousand years after they were given. Perhaps the man was following the commandments according to a righteous interpretation of his day, not according to the standards of our day. (see Anna and Simeon as righteous OT saints in NT times).]

Mt 19:23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, "I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, "Who then can be saved?" 26 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

B5. Disciple's question: v27 we did, what will we get?

19:27 Peter answered him, "We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?" 28 Jesus said to them, "I tell you the truth, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.  30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.......20:15 Don't I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?'16 "So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

B5a. What  should a disciple do?

27  have left everything to follow you!

28  you who have followed me

29 everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother f or children or fields for my sake

B5b. What should a disciple get?

28  sit on twelve thrones, judging (Power, rulership-dominion)

29 receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

B5c. When does a disciple get it?

28a  at the renewal of all things, (when Jesus returns and sets up His kingdom)

28b  when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne,

B6. The following parable is bracketed by  19:30 first will be last...last will be first. and 20:16  the last will be first, and the first will be last.  and must be interpreted in light of these "bookends" and understood in such a manner that it explains the previous section beginning at 19:16 covering the lack of reward for the rich man  and the great reward for the disciples. In Jewish thought at the time the rich were those whom God favored and blessed because He was pleased with them and the poor were those under God's curse, with whom He was not pleased. . Thus the rich man was considered "first" now but would be considered "last" when Jesus passed out rewards. The disciples who had nothing would be considered "last" but would eventually be considered "first".

Note also that the "first" did receive something, although that is not the main point of the parable. That the reward seems to be the same for everyone can not be seen as the poit of the parable, not only because of the "bookends" but also for the contradiction that would exist  between the previous clear teaching and sworn promises of Jesus and the parable that explained them. Jesus had clearly promised the disciples and all who followed Him a great reward which not everyone received.

C. MARK'S ACCOUNT

Mark's Manual on Discipleship places the interview concerning eternal life within a very significant segment of the Book, occuring between two accounts of Jesus opening the eyes of the blind. In the first, Jesus does a two stage healing: the man saw in part, and then saw in whole. This parallels what was going on with the disciples.

Immediately after the two-stage eye-opening the disciples saw that Jesus was the Messiah. (Stage 1') However, they did not understand that the route to glory was self-sacrificial serving. (Stage 2') Which is why Jesus begins to immediately instruct them in His (and their) upcoming sacrifical service. Between the two-stage miracle and eye-opening of Bartimaeus (10:46) Jesus is instructing the disciples that he and they must suffer for glory. It is in the middle of this section that the rich young man comes to Jesus. The prominence and amount of space given to this account in a major reward section precludes any reading of justification/forgiveness into the narrative, unless demanded by the dialogue. As can be clearly seen, the dialogue centers around reward, not forgiveness.

STAGE 1 - Eyes partially opened; but he doesn't see reality clearly

Mk 8:23 He took the blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man's eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, "Do you see anything?" 24 He looked up and said, "I see people; they look like trees walking around."

STAGE 2 - Eyes fully opened; he sees reality clearly

25 Once more Jesus put his hands on the man's eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.

STAGE 1' - Eyes partially opened = Jesus is the Messiah; but disciples don't clearly see the route to His rulership.

8:27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, "Who do people say I am?" 28 They replied, "Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." :29 "But what about you?" he asked. " Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ. "

STAGE 2' begins - Jesus begins to instruct that the route to rulership is self-sacrifical service.

30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.

STAGE 2' Continues: ACCOUNT OF RICH YOUNG MAN

10:17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. " Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. " No one is good_except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.' " 20 "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. " One thing you lack," he said. " Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!" 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is  to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." 28 Peter said to him, "We have left everything to follow you!"

This section follows the pattern discussed above in Matthew. Notice that get=inherit; Jesus specifically states that there is only ONE thing the person lacks, and that is not stated as trust in Christ's death on his behalf, but rather self-sacrificial works.

 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus replied, "no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields_and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first."

STAGE 2' Concludes:  Clearest  teaching  on the route to rulership and opening of Bartimaeus' eyes.

10:43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."46 Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (that is, the Son of Timaeus), was sitting by the roadside begging.... 52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.

Note: Remember that Son of Man is the one to whom all glory and dominion is given by the Ancient of Days (Dan 7). This Future Ruler of the world to come gains His rulership by sacrificial service, as must the disciples.

D. LUKE'S ACCOUNTS

D1. In Luke's first account of the same subject matter (an expert in the law as opposed to the rich  ruler of 18:18)  a few  observations are noteworthy:

D1a. Inheriting eternal life (10:25) is used instead of "get" and is equated with living (10:28)

D1b. The two greatest commandments are put for all the law.

D1c. Jesus not only said that the man's answer was correct (one must do works to inherit) but reaffirmed the answer with "Do this and you will live".

Lk 10:25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. " Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"10:26 "What is written in the Law?" he replied. " How do you read it?" 27 He answered: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' " 28 "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. " Do this and you will live.""

D2. In Dueteronomy, entering, conquering, enjoying and living (having dominion) in land is called "life" and dependent upon obedience to the revealed will of God.

Dt 4:1 Hear now, O Israel, the decrees and laws I am about to teach you. Follow them so that you may live and may go in and take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, is giving you.

8:1 Be careful to follow every command I am giving you today, so that you may live and increase and may enter and possess the land that the Lord promised on oath to your forefathers.

16:20 Follow justice and justice alone, so that you may live and possess the land the Lord your God is giving you.

30:15 See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.16 For I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then you will live and increase, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.17 But if your heart turns away and you are not obedient, and if you are drawn away to bow down to other gods and worship them, 18 I declare to you this day that you will certainly be destroyed. You will not live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess. 19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live 20 and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. For the Lord is your life, and he will give you many years in the land he swore to give to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

D2a. THUS: Life or living is equated with having dominion or ruling, it is a reward of obedience.

D2b. This concept of life is parallel with that of rest or inheritance (as in the Book of Hebrews)

Dt 12:10 But you will cross the Jordan and settle in the land the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and he will give you rest from all your enemies around you so that you will live in safety.

D2c. Note: Israel's reception and possession of their inheritance was dependent upon their obedience (works) [Dt 26:52 The Lord said to Moses, 53 "The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. cf. Numbers 13 and 14 where the Exodus generation is deprived of their inheritance. {Extra Credit: trace Caleb through the Scriptures.}]

D3. In Luke's second account,  parallel to Matthew and Mark, the issue of "good" is discussed, with the term being applied to Jesus.  

18:18 A certain ruler asked him, "Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" 19 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. " No one is good_except God alone. 20 You know the commandments: 'Do not commit adultery, do not murder, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.' "

21 "All these I have kept since I was a boy," he said. 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, "You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 23 When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was a man of great wealth. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." 26 Those who heard this asked, "Who then can be saved?" 27 Jesus replied, "What is impossible with men is possible with God." 28 Peter said to him, "We have left all we had to follow you!" 29 "I tell you the truth," Jesus said to them, "no one who has left home or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 will fail to receive many times as much in this age and, in the age to come, eternal life."

V. HOW TO GET REWARDS

20:25 Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 26 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant,

20:27 and whoever wants to be first must be your slave_ 28 just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."

Lk12:19 And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." '

20 "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'21 "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God."

Lk 12:31 But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well. 32 "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. 33 Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.

34 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

35 "Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning,

36 like men waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks they can immediately open the door for him.

12:37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes. I tell you the truth, he will dress himself to serve, will have them recline at the table and will come and wait on them.

12:38 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them ready, even if he comes in the second or third watch of the night.

12:39 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have let his house be broken into.

12:40 You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him."

12:41 Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable to us, or to everyone?"

12:42 The Lord answered, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their food allowance at the proper time?

12:43 It will be good for that servant whom the master finds doing so when he returns.

12:44 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

12:45 But suppose the servant says to himself, 'My master is taking a long time in coming,' and he then begins to beat the menservants and maidservants and to eat and drink and get drunk.

12:46 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.

12:47 "That servant who knows his master's will and does not get ready or does not do what his master wants will be beaten with many blows.

12:48 But the one who does not know and does things deserving punishment will be beaten with few blows. From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.

Lk 17:7 "Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, 'Come along now and sit down to eat'?

17:8 Would he not rather say, 'Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink'?

17:9 Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do?

17:10 So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, 'We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.'"

Mt 22:2 "The kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son.

22:3 He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come.

22:5 "But they paid no attention and went off_one to his field, another to his business.

22:8 "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come.

22:9 Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.'

22:10 So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests.

22:11 "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes.

22:12 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless.

22:13 "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

22:14 "For many are invited, but few are chosen."

Lk 13:22 Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem.

13:23 Someone asked him, "Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?"      

He said to them,

13:24 "Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to.

13:25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, 'Sir, open the door for us.'               

"But he will answer, 'I don't know you or where you come from.'

13:26 "Then you will say, 'We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.'

13:27 "But he will reply, 'I don't know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!'

13:28 "There will be weeping there, and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the kingdom of God, but you yourselves thrown out.

13:29 People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.

13:30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last."

24:10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other,

24:11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.

24:12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

24:13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

24:42 "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come.

24:43 But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into.

24:44 So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

24:45 "Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time?

24:46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns.

24:47 I tell you the truth, he will put him in charge of all his possessions.

24:48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, 'My master is staying away a long time,'

24:49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards.

24:50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of.

24:51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Lk 14:12 Then Jesus said to his host, "When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid.

14:13 But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind,

14:14 and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."

Lk 14:24 I tell you, not one of those men who were invited will get a taste of my banquet.'"