Speaker: Dr. Harold J. Sala | Series: Guidelines For Living | When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing.  Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Luke 18:22

Anyone who has ever visited ancient Jericho can testify to the reality that in the summer it can be unbearably hot.  Locals are convinced that hell itself is only ten degrees hotter than Jericho.  There is an old aphorism that in China only mad dogs and Englishmen go out in the noonday sun, and that surely applied to Jericho as well–which is why a drama that unfolded as Jesus approached the city on His way to Jerusalem is so remarkable.

So vivid was this happening in the life of Jesus that three of Jesus’ biographers, Matthew, Mark, and Luke, wrote about it. The story itself is simple enough.  A young man, having heard that Jesus was passing by, came running and knelt before Him voicing a question that was perplexing to him.

There is an element of urgency in this encounter. The man had made no appointment.  Neither did he bother to consider whether his interview was convenient.  He simply knew that this was his opportunity to get something off his chest, and he had to take advantage of the moment.

There is also an element of drama in the situation. All three of the writers of the Gospel point out that this man was very wealthy, and people with lots of money don’t run.  They snap their fingers and give orders and others do the running for them. Furthermore, there is an element of desperation.  Men with money are used to people deferring to them, but humiliating himself before Jesus, he kneels in the dusty road.  Looking up into the face of Jesus, he asks, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

In the event you have never studied the Gospels (meaning Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) you need to know that each one represents a different viewpoint. Mark is called the Gospel of Action.  Reflecting a Roman viewpoint, Mark goes to the heart of things. He doesn’t waste words.  Mark points out something that his colleagues Matthew and Luke omit. At this point Mark says, “Jesus, beholding him, loved him!” (Mark 10:21).  There are two Greek words which could have been used.  The first means to casually observe something, but the other word—and the one Mark used—means to gaze intently at someone.  So Jesus, looked intently into the face of this troubled young man who knelt before Him, loved him, knowing full well that the great wealth he had would be a stumbling block.

“You still lack one thing,” said Jesus, adding, “Go sell everything you have and give to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (Luke 18:22).

So he immediately disposed of his wealth, forsook his easy lifestyle and became a disciple, right?  Wrong.  The record says he walked away very sorrowful because he was very rich.

What’s the issue?  It’s simple.  Who or what comes first? Your money, your power, your position, or your God?  Earlier Jesus had said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Andrew, my grandson, had just turned seven when he shocked his mother, saying, “Mother, I’m afraid that I’m going to go to hell!”  “Why?” asked Bonnie, somewhat perturbed.  “Because I’m afraid that I love my little blue bucket and shovel (a birthday gift) more than God!”

Whether it is your pride, your wealth, or your little blue bucket that stands between you and doing the will of God, Jesus wants to come first.  “Come and follow me,” is still the invitation that Jesus Christ makes to those who ask, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”  It is still true.

Resource reading:  Luke 18:18-30