Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Passage: Matthew 19:16-20:16
Focus: “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.” Matthew 19:21.
The fact that this young man was wealthy is not as significant as the evidence that he was bound by, and perhaps in love with, his wealth. That attachment produced in him a gnawing sense of emptiness that made him feel lacking and spiritually sick in spite of his prosperity and legalistic religiosity. He approached Doctor Jesus with a kind of request for healing. He probably was quite confident that he could do or pay for whatever Jesus prescribed. He expected a quick fix. But Jesus ultimately prescribed a liberal dose of self-denial as a precedent to a consistent diet of FOLLOWING HIM. The price tag suddenly shot up to way beyond what he wanted to pay. “Well, I’m really not that sick,” the man responded by implication, and continued on his way, probably still searching for a cure.
We too would do well to beware of the infectious influence of anything that withholds us from unconditionally following Jesus. Besides the danger of being consumed with the worries and cares surrounding wealth, it is also all too easy to be caught up in the program and form of Christian activity while being rendered weak and out of sorts by the low-grade infection of unyieldedness at some point. “Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance…our eyes on Jesus” (Heb. 12:1-2).
Be reminded of the original question and the bottom-line answer in this exchange between Jesus and the wealthy young man. The question: “What good thing must I do to get eternal life?” Jesus’ answer: “Follow me.”