Matthew 19:16-26 #4

Matthew 19:16-26 #4
When the ruler asked Jesus what he lacked to have eternal life, Jesus commanded him to sell all he had, give to the poor, and come and follow Him. If he did these things, he would have treasure in heaven. How do you feel about that command? A little hard, don’t you think? Aren’t you glad Jesus doesn’t require that of you? Please think carefully about that question. If indeed you are glad that Jesus did not give you the same commandment, you have indicted yourself to be in the same category as this rich man.
The first thing we should realize is that Jesus offered this man an honor that he offered few others. Mark’s account says that Jesus looked at this man and loved him. There were things about this ruler that stood out above others, especially other men in a similar class or circumstance. Jesus could use a man like him. There were times when Jesus refused to allow a man to follow Him or be in His inner circle. But this young ruler was given the opportunity of the ages. “Sell what you have – you won’t need it – and come and follow Me.” Oh to have lived then and heard those wonderful words.
But really, does Jesus require less of us? Listen to these words: “So no one of you can be My disciple unless he forsakes all that he has” (Luke 14:33). There may not be a literal selling, but we had better have already “sold” all that we have. And it is not just possessions that we must sell, it is our time, it is our interests, it is our fleshly wants and desires, it is our very lives. There will be no half-hearted people in heaven. There will be not those who dabbled in godliness and righteousness while selling themselves as citizens of this present world. We must be as Abraham, a stranger and sojourner who was looking for a city with foundations. We must be as Moses who chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season.
How closely do you identify with the rich young ruler?
Berry Kercheville