“Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. I am the Vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing”

— John 15:4-5

This is a weekly reflection on the previous week’s sermon text. Each week there will be a devotional related to the scripture for the week, along with questions for reflection/discussion, as well as prayer. Feel free to make this a part of your individual spiritual growth throughout the week or utilize in small group settings (growth groups, Sunday school, etc.)

Matthew 19:16-22

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.

This story appears in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. In all three, we learn that this man was wealthy. In Matthew, he is referred to as a young man. In Luke, he is referred to as a ruler. Many people title this story as “The Rich Young Ruler”. However, he is not named as such in any one gospel.

He came to Jesus with a simple question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The Greek word for eternal in this context means a “life lived in the characteristic or image of God”. Eternal in this sense does not mean everlasting life. There are other instances in the New Testament where another Greek word for eternal means everlasting. The young man was not necessarily asking about what to do to inherit everlasting life, but more so about how he could experience life more fully on this earth. Something was missing in his life and he knew it. He had everything else – wealth, youth, and power, but as we well know from history those things do not necessarily lead to a whole, meaningful life.

Jesus instructed the young man to keep the commandments and then listed a few of them: you shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, etc. He then added “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” According to Jesus, living life in this manner leads to life in God. The young man replied, “I have kept all these; what do I still lack?” That was his way of saying, “I have checked all the boxes but there is still something missing.” Obviously, his faith was stuck in his head and had not made its way to his heart.

Jesus, always perceptive about whoever was in his presence, said what this young man needed to hear, “If you wish to be perfect (whole and in tune with God), go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”

It would have been great if the story had ended with the young man saying yes to Jesus’ offer, but he didn’t. Matthew tells us that he “went away grieving, for he had many possessions.” We can almost feel the internal tension within the young man. He knew what Jesus was saying was true, but he could not bring himself to part with his possessions for those were his other “gods”. We never hear from him again. Did he live the rest of his life for himself and continue to idolize money and possessions? Or did he gradually come to realize Jesus’ offer made sense and was the only way for him to be whole?

We will never know, but one thing you and I both know is that Jesus’ offer applies to us as well. It might not be money or possessions that keep us from living a meaningful life in Christ, but whatever it might be, we have the choice to “give it away” and follow Christ. Together with Christ we can write the rest of our story and know what it means to have eternal life in this life on earth.

Prayer:

Loving God, help us to relinquish that which keeps us from following you. May we realize that following Christ is not just “checking religious boxes” but is a living relationship. Amen.

QUESTION FOR REFLECTION:

How would you define a meaningful life lived in the image of God?

Jesus knew that the young man’s possessions were barriers to following him. If you were to ask Jesus the same question the young man asked him, what do you think he would say to you? How might you respond?

The Holy Spirit is constantly at work in us, shaping and transforming us. How have you experienced the Holy Spirit at work in your life, especially in regard to living the life Christ has called you to live?

printer version