Week 6
A young man came to him and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to have eternal life?” He said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God. But if you want eternal life, obey the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder.’ ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ ‘You shall not steal.’ ‘You shall not offer false testimony.’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”
The young man said to him, “All these things I have obeyed from my youth. What else must I do?”
Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions.
Jesus said to his disciples, “Most certainly I say to you, it is difficult for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven.” —Matt. 19:16–23
The young man had a sincere desire for eternal life. He obeyed the commandments and lived a good life, but when Jesus called him to take a radical step of trust, he walked away sad. Why? Because his trust was still in his possessions.
Though the man sought Jesus, his response showed he was not ready to give up his life to receive what Jesus offers to all who trust in him. He did not trust that the life Jesus offered was better than what he already had.
This story is not just about wealth—it’s about anything that holds our heart more than Jesus. Trusting Jesus means letting go of anything that competes with him for first place.
Reflection Questions
Is anything so important to you that it keeps you from completely following Jesus?
Do you trust that God’s will is better than your own? If so, how do your actions reflect that belief?
Lord, what are you teaching me in today’s reading?
Lord, what else have you said to me through thoughts, circumstances, conversations, emotions, or the work of the enemy?
Lord, what do you want me to do: At home? At work? In ministry?