jesus and the rich young ruler     introduction       Probably just weeks before Jesus would ride into Jerusalem on the foal of a donkey, a young Jewish ruler, who was a quite wealthy property-owner, urgently pressed Jesus with a daunting question: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (cf. Mark [...]

the lawyer, jesus, and the samaritan       As Jesus’ ministry began to widen to include gentiles, a Jewish lawyer—arrogant, cynical, and self- righteous—challenged the uncredentialed son of a carpenter from Nazareth with a personal question about a spiritual matter.  “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (cf. Luke 10:25-37).       In [...]