The Next Step
Have you ever wished that you had quit while you were still ahead?
People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them; and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it. But Jesus called for them and said, ‘Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.’ A certain ruler asked him, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus said to him, ‘Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother.” ’ He replied, ‘I have kept all these since my youth.’ When Jesus heard this, he said to him, ‘There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.’ But when he heard this, he became sad; for he was very rich. Jesus looked at him and said, ‘How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.’ Those who heard it said, ‘Then who can be saved?’ He replied, ‘What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.’ Then Peter said, ‘Look, we have left our homes and followed you.’ And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, 30who will not get back very much more in this age, and in the age to come eternal life.’ - Luke 18:15-30
The ruler came and asked Jesus a question, and he could have left with the answer, but he chose to do something else.
If he hadn't said he already keeps all the commandments, Jesus would not have given him a more challenging goal. He was already on the path to eternal life. Why didn't he stop there?
I can see why Jesus says the kingdom of God belongs to children. While they are inquisitive, they generally take things at face value.
Their innocence helps them see things as they are, without adding color or perspective.
The rich man wanted to be praised for his goodness. He felt he was already there, and he wanted acknowledgment from Jesus. Instead, he was given a deeper challenge. He should have seen it coming.
Jesus makes a connection the man couldn't see. If he was truly following the commandments, he should have been using his treasure to help those in need. But he wasn't all in.
He was doing the minimum, keeping the laws without owning them in spirit and intent.
If you truly love your neighbor, wouldn't you offer what you have to help him?
Jesus wants us to take the next step, to step up our game and live the commandments fully. That's not easy to do. It may mean giving up what makes us feel secure.
More to come...