Yesterday I was reflecting on some verses from Mark's Gospel where the Pharisees ask Jesus a question and He answers in a way that they were not expecting. Today I am reflecting on another question and answer session, this time recounted in Matthew's Gospel and the story of a rich young man. Here are the verses - Matthew 19:16-26 NIV:
[16] "Just then 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, keep the commandments.”
[18] “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “ 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall 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.
[23] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich 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 someone who is rich 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.”
This is such a powerful and simple interaction. It is recorded by Mark, and Luke as well, so it must have been one of the many key teachings, and memories of the Apostles. I would like to add one verse from Mark's Gospel, because I think it is important in understanding this exchange. Here is the verse - Mark 10:21 NIV: "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.”
I believe it is very important to understand that Jesus' motivation in this interchange was love and the invitation was to intimacy with Him. In fact, this is always Jesus motivation in every single interaction we have with Him! He loves us, and will always love us, and always wants relationship with us! To receive anything from Jesus in any other understanding is wrong, His only motivation is Love (John 3:16-17). It was love that drove Him to come to earth and love that caused Him to endure the cross. It is Love that motivates Jesus in all his dealings with us.
Back to the story, the first thing to note is that the individual coming to Jesus was not a proud and self-righteous Pharisee, but rather a rich young man. Luke adds that He was a ruler (Luke 18:18). He came to Jesus asking a question not in judgment, but in sincere desire to do better. His focus was eternal life, and he had come to the right place - for Jesus holds the Key to eternal life, at the Father's direction. Jesus speaks of this in John 17:2-3 NIV:
[2] "For you (The Father) granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. [3] Now this is eternal life: that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent."
Jesus deals gently with this young man, drawing Him into deeper conversation and inviting him to relationship with Him, for we can certainly understand verse 21 as that invitation. I think that many times people get so caught up in the first part of that statement "go, sell your possessions..." that they miss the second part (recorded in Mark 10:21) of Jesus' invitation to follow Him (implied here in Matthew's retelling. Jesus is expressing love towards this young man, and is once again extending the invitation to relationship, and literally making the same offer that He does in Matthew 11:28-30 NIV: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. [29] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. [30] For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
He is offering the young man a way to release his burdens, those things that wear him down, but the young man has too much at stake, in his own heart, too much identity wrapped up in his wealth. Jesus offers the invitation that will set him free of all those bonds, and His motivation is love and desire for relationship. Jesus saw in this man the things that limited his pursuit of God, and showed him what was in his (Young man's) heart. He gave the young man the opportunity to repent, to change the way he thought and acted, but the young man was unable to take that step forward.
Jesus, in His following statements (verses 23-26) was expressing His understanding of the young man's plight, and I don't think He was judging the rich, only identifying the difficulty they have in stepping free of the bonds of responsibility and greed that can so easily ensnare us. I love the fact that Jesus finishes this with one of His most significant statements - "with God all things are possible!" This is so important for us to grasp, God is beyond capable, He is arguably the only one who is truly capable!
Although we don't hear anymore about this young man, as far as we know, I like to think that this was not the one and only encounter between Jesus and him. I am sure Jesus' words stayed with the young man for the rest of his earthly life. Maybe his name was Zaccheaus?? Whatever his future, you can be sure that he saw life differently after this encounter with Jesus. That is how Jesus draws us and leads us with His gentle touch. He is always wanting to lead us in deeper paths of relational intimacy, as well as to freedom from those things that bind us up.
I find it interesting that Jesus only went down this path once the man asked his second question, "What do I still lack?"(Matt 17:20) As I mentioned yesterday, if we ask Jesus a question we can be sure He will answer, but He might answer in ways we don't want Him to answer. The young man was probably thinking of some additional task he could do, and instead Jesus totally switched it up and went for his heart. Jesus doesn't just want platitudes and offers and intentions to do good, He actually wants to see us become more like Him in words and deeds, in faith and love! I think in some ways Jesus' answer to pretty much any question is going to be the same, 'come follow me". To respond to this invitation is a daily decision on our part. This is not like the French foreign legion where once you say yes they own you, instead, we get to make our decision every single day, even multiple times every day. Our choice to follow Him must be re-upped every day, and we must choose to step free of the things He shows us that still bind us.
Jesus understands that this invitation can be a struggle for many of us. He understands our weak nature. He loves us patiently, and always provides us as many chances as we need to change our lives! With our own will it is impossible to fully embrace His invitation, but with Him all things are possible!
Thank You Lord for Your loving invitation! Thank You for understanding us and helping us! Thank You for making the impossible in our grasp!
Amen!
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