Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “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.” “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, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’” “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?” 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.” When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.”
Cross References (Luke 18:30; Mark 10:17-31)
We know a few things about this man from the passage and its cross references in the other gospels (listed above):
- He was very wealthy,
- He was a ruler,
- He studied the Bible and was likely Jewish or a convert to Judaism,
- He wanted to pay Jesus respect (he calls him teacher, or good teacher in some gospel accounts),
- He wanted to live forever in heaven.
Jesus addressed his remark (likely in flattery) with a curious question: He says in Matthew, why do you ask me about what is good? In Luke he says: “Why do you call me good?”
The answer: “No one is good—except God alone.” (Luke 18:19). But Jesus was God. So, was he questioning his own deity, or was he trying to get this man to acknowledge that he was the Messiah? I think it was the latter.
Next he tests him on the specific, technical laws of the Jews. He answers that he has kept them all. (Who knows if this was really true or not?) Next, he asks what more he needs to do to get into heaven?
Jesus’ answer here is so “classic Jesus”. He told him to sell all he has and follow him. To leave his position of high status, to leave his life of relative comfort and ease, and to become poor and needy and of no title or position.
It was much like the test of Abraham that God leveled, calling him to sacrifice his heir to the promised nation, Isaac, on the altar. Abraham’s prized possession was Isaac, this man’s prized possessions were his wealth, position, and power. The promise? Treasure in heaven.
Now if this man really had a heart after God and his heavenly kingdom, he would have jumped at this opportunity to trade earthly possessions for heavenly rewards. But he was not an authentic God-follower. He was shown to be a fake.
How authentic am I when it comes to sacrificing all that is precious to me on this earth for heavenly rewards? Do I really care more about my eternity than I do about my life on earth?
When God asks me to sacrifice, will I retreat with a sullen look, or readily leave behind the things of this world to gain his treasures?
Lord, thank you for this telling story about the rich young ruler. Help me to PUT YOU FIRST ALWAYS! You alone are the only one worthy of my allegiance. Refine my heart and cleanse me from the desire of worldly things, I pray.
