But I will say that sometimes...we can be diverted or sidetracked onto other paths of pursuing knowledge, yet while ‘always learning, we never come to the knowledge of the truth’. (2 Tim. 3:7) And you may not want to admit it, but pride can play in to that pursuit as well. “Knowledge causes people to become puffed up” – (1 Cor. 8:1)
So here is what we do know about him: He was young. He was some kind of leader or ruler in that he clearly must have had some sphere of influence given the wealth we are told that he had. And it’s fair to say that he had a good upbringing based on his own testimony regarding his adherence to keeping the commandments of God. This would also lead me to believe he was probably of Jewish descent given his familiarity of the commandments.
We might also conclude that he was a ‘seeker’, a term we often use today to describe folks who are not committed believers but will pop in and visit churches to see what all is happening there. You’ve probably heard of that practice where churches actually tailor their services to appeal to such folks, hence the phrase ‘seeker-friendly-churches. (Gonna sidestep that one today)
I tend to think this young man was seeking something, which leads me to believe he recognized that ‘something’ was missing in his life in spite of all that he seemingly had. And Jesus seemed to be offering up that which was lacking in this young man’s life.
We read where he approached Jesus in respect, calling Him ‘Good Teacher’. Mark’s account suggest he came running and knelt before Him. (Mark. 10:17). And his question was direct and to the point: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Matthew’s account adds the word ‘good’ thing must I do)
Nothing we read here implies that he was trying to ‘test’ Jesus like we read in other encounters Jesus had with people. The heart of this young man seems genuine. It would also appear on the surface that he may have falsely believed that whatever this ‘eternal life’ was that Jesus came preaching about, that there may have been a simple act of charity or service that he could quickly and conveniently do so he could ‘check a box’ and include eternal life as another one of his possessions.
“Faith People’ would be quick to point out that there is absolutely nothing...as in NOTHING any of us can ‘do’ to inherit or receive the gift of eternal life outside of simply “believing in Jesus”. And I understand why they believe that. But...let’s be careful here given what Jesus taught in another place that ‘not everyone who says, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter the kingdom of heaven but...those who DO THE WILL of the Father in heaven”. (Matt. 7:21). You might also check out Hebrews 5:9. So here is where all the great debaters position themselves to thrash it out with scripture and defend their doctrines. Not my goal here today, to debate, that is.
I’ll admit, I’m not sure why Jesus was quick to deflect the idea that He was good, and until God gives further understanding on that...I’ll just ‘put it on a shelf’. (That is not a bad practice, by the way, when we come across verses we are unclear of. It is better than dismissing them or rejecting them outright)
So look where Jesus directs the young man’s attention to in replying- “You know the commandments (the law); and begins to list a handful of them. In Matthew’s account, we read where Jesus said “IF you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (19:17- also affirmed in Luke 10:25-28)
The young man is quick to say that he has been doing this his whole life...keeping and obeying the commandments of God; well, at least the ones Jesus listed about honoring parents and not committing adultery or murdering or lying,
I find it interesting how quickly we can conclude that we are doing all that God ask or requires of us. Of course we love God with ‘all our hearts’. That’s what being a Christian is all about, right? We might admit we struggle at times with that second great commandment about loving others but gosh...of course we love God with our whole heart.
I remember a time when King Saul was instructed to take care of a matter that God had commanded him to do...and he failed to complete the task. Yet, when the prophet Samuel came to confront him, Saul ran out to greet him quickly sharing how he had accomplished all that God has asked of him. (1 Samuel 15:13-14).
We are easily deceived when we are just hearers of the word and not doers.(James 1:22). And remember my post from the other day? – Deceived folks rarely know they are deceived.
Now here is where this story takes an interesting turn and where we should really sit up and take note. I might also preface this with a reminder from Jeremiah 17:9-10 where God tells us how wicked and deceptive the human heart is...and that we are not even capable of fully knowing it.
But God does. God knows our hearts. And it is our hearts that deceive us and are the root of our defilement and make us ‘unclean’. (Mark. 7:20-23). And Jesus knew the heart of this young man who came to him. I love how we read that “Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him...” [let me stop right there] ...Even knowing how defiled our hearts are, Jesus looks into them and still loves us. And this is followed up with Jesus telling this young man the truth.
When we hold back sharing the truth of God’s word with people, whether you pastor a church, teach a Sunday school class, or lead a small group, the genuineness of your love for those you teach comes in to question. Now there is a right way and a wrong way to ‘share truth’. We are admonished to ‘speak the truth in love and gentleness’, but we are to speak the truth nonetheless What else can set people free? (Eph. 4:15; 2 Tim. 2:24; John 8:32-36)
And here is the quote that really is quite astounding: “You only lack one thing”. Imagine God telling us that? Just one thing I lack from having a pure heart? Wow. Let’s deal with it now and move on to better things in God. In Matthew’s account, Jesus added this qualifier- “If you want to be perfect....” (Matt. 19:21) Hmmm...where have we heard that before? (Matt. 5:48)
“The purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart..” (1 Tim. 1:5). This is what everything about this gospel and law point to....loving God with ALL ...as in our WHOLE heart. Prior to coming to Christ, our hearts were defiled, our spirit was dead, and the wrath of God was upon us. (Mark 7:21-23, Eph. 2:1-3; John 3:36). And it is the ‘wrath of God’ that Jesus came to save us from. (Rom. 5:9)
In the same manner in which Joshua lead the Israelites to clear or rid the land of all the wickedness, so Jesus comes to rid our us of all the wickedness that resides within our defiled hearts. When we balk at following Him, and insist on holding on to things He says needs to go, we now are holding on to idols in our heart telling God we love them more than Him. And THIS...is why we are subject to so much suffering and curses that the enemy brings. The only way we can escape the flood of darkness is to ‘get in the ark’ or ‘in Christ’ and we don’t come in with just ‘half a heart’. You may ‘think’ you are in...or were ‘told you were in’. But we learn quickly from this encounter with the ruler and Jesus...even if there is just ‘one thing we lack’...we still need to deal with it. (Luke 14:33)
I feel like I should clarify something here given my own experiences and understanding to how the enemy can twist the word of God around. When we read about being ‘willing to forsake all’, it’s pretty safe to say that we are not taking about ‘external’ things. Man always looks at the outward, but God looks in to our hearts’. (1 Samuel 16:7). This is not about quitting your job and ‘answering a call’ to go to Africa or Haiti. This is not about selling or giving away your house and living in a tent so can spend more time with Jesus. This is not about ‘renouncing’ and then ‘denouncing’ all the ‘worldliness’ around you.
This is about letting the Holy Spirit point out things in Your heart that are part of your old fleshly nature, then repenting of it and allowing God to cleanse you in that area before He empowers you to resist the devil and die to it so that His fruit and His nature can begin to flourish In you. It. Is. All. Him. Doing. It. You just have to die to that old stuff.
Forget about ”saving” everyone at the office. Try repenting of that grumbling and complaining and backbiting that seems to crop up all the time in your life. Die to that. Then see what God does in and through you there...at the office. That resentment and unforgiveness that took up residence in you years ago...that is sin. That is why you have been in torment because of your unwillingness to forgive...and then do good to them and pray for them and bless them. (Matt. 18:34-35; 5:44-45) Jesus made it clear there in Matt. 18 what happens to us when we don’t forgive from our....where? Our ‘hearts’ you say?
What thing is ‘lacking’ and keeping You from being ‘perfected’ in Christ? What are you balking at...hesitant to let go of and turn from? When we don’t ‘turn away from our sin’, then we are in effect, turning away from Jesus.
That’s what our friend, the young rich ruler did. He turned and walked away. And he just didn’t turn and walk away...we read he was ‘sad’ or ‘sorrowful’.
Consider this...In His presence...there is fullness of joy. (Ps. 16:11). When you leave His presence, then what are you forfeiting? Joy, perhaps? I wonder if this might be the source of so much sadness, sorrow, and depression that plagues people today. My goodness...it must be good to have stock in those pharmaceutical companies that sell anti-depressants. Ready for a change? Why not turn back and ascend unto the ‘hill of the Lord’ where His presence is. Oh...and who may ascend unto this hill? He that has ‘clean hands and a pure......._________? (Ps. 24:4 & James 4:7-8)
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