Matthew 19:13-26

After his treatise on divorce and marriage, Jesus is tired as the disciples are trying to limit the numbers of those approaching them. Again, Jesus emphasizes the importance of the Child and tells them that His kingdom only belongs to those who are as children. So Jesus lays hands on them, imparting blessings we will never know upon them.

Then as He leaves there, He is approached by a man with the energy of an eager student speaking to his favorite professor asking what's going to be on the test. What good thing must I do to get eternal life? Jesus can see the eager attitude and this man's heart that he isn't truly willing to do what it takes to receive eternal life so he tells him simply, “Keep the commandments”

At this the man probably felt good, “keep the commandments“? I could do that in my sleep. What else?
And it's at this question that Jesus looks at him and sees his heart. Sees what it is that would make this man a true follower of Jesus and sees the first thing that will stop his progress.

Which ones? The man asks and Jesus listed a few, do not murder being the first. I mean it's not all that difficult to not murder someone. And with the eager enthusiasm as a young student would have confidently asks a question you can just hear the tone of as Jesus has answered this man positively the previous three times he asked a question. You can almost hear the smugness as he asks,

Is there anything else I lack?

And Jesus addresses the one issue that will keep this man from obtaining eternal life, go, sell all you own to give to the poor and come follow me. And the young man walked away sad because he was rich. There's a saying I never really understood until recently “the poor are some of the most generous people on earth.”

And I've seen it displayed over and over again. A homeless man offers a dollar to someone in more need than he is. While a rich man seals up his wallet and tucks it away when asked. But Jesus is cautioning his disciples about the rich.

First, He is not saying that all rich people are condemned as some have done so based on a religion featuring a progressive political agenda that is not what He ever intended. Second, He's essentially saying that following Him will cost the disciple everything.

If what you have, you cling to, it may be necessary to sell all you have. Any thing(s) that may get in the way of total dedication to Him must be cut off and eliminated.

It truly is a heavy cost to follow Him. In some countries, following Him costs your life. In this country it's becoming more and more difficult to follow Him if you follow with biblical vigor and faith. For all it costs something, for some, it costs everything.






[13] Then some children were brought to Him so that He would lay His hands on them and pray; and the disciples rebuked them. [14] But Jesus said, “Leave the children alone, and do not forbid them to come to Me; for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” [15] After laying His hands on them, He departed from there. [16] And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do so that I may obtain eternal life?” [17] And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you want to enter life, keep the commandments.” [18] Then he *said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; [19] Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” [20] The young man *said to Him, “All these I have kept; what am I still lacking?” [21] Jesus said to him, “If you want to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” [22] But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. [23] And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. [24] And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” [26] And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”