What does Luke 18:28 mean?
This is the second comparison regarding the rich young ruler. An important man in his community, kindly, very wealthy, and a devout follower of the Mosaic law wants to know what else he must do to inherit eternal life. He doesn't understand that he can't earn it on his own. Jesus gives the man a challenge to reveal where his heart has erred: He tells the man to sell all he has, give the proceeds to the poor, and come follow Him. The man walks away dejected because he loves being rich (Luke 18:18–25; Mark 10:22).The first comparison is between this man and children. The man has wealth, power, skill, and ambition. The children have nothing. Because they have nothing, they can freely enter God's kingdom, secure that it is God's gift and not something they could earn or buy (Luke 18:15–17).
The second comparison is between the man and the disciples. The rich man would not sacrifice his earthly life for eternal life; the disciples are in the process of doing just that. They have left their homes, jobs, and families to travel with and learn from Jesus. Jesus affirms their decision and reveals that part of the "kingdom of God" is eternal blessings for those who are in it (Luke 18:29–30).
