Gripping Tightly
Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
“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.”
“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, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
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.”
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, 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.”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:16-26
Insight
As you read this passage, you can almost feel the crowd of people inch a little closer when they hear the rich, young ruler’s question for Jesus. Even though they were captivated by His miracles, finding out the answer to this question is why they followed Jesus. In the most precise possible terms, this young man asks how he can take hold of eternal life.
If there were ever a place to look for a straightforward presentation of the gospel, we would expect it here. Yet Jesus’ response leaves the crowd scratching their heads and us as well. Instead of answering, Jesus puts the young man to the test by asking him if he had followed all of the commandments.
After the young man says he has all the commandments down pat, Jesus states that the only other thing he needed to do was sell all of his possessions. Again, we are left wondering why Jesus would give out the wrong information. Salvation isn’t earned by works but by grace alone. Also, Jesus never said money is evil but rather the love of money. So why this test?
The answer can be found in verse 22 when it says Jesus’ response was “the last thing the young man expected to hear. And so, crestfallen, he walked away.”
He had to choose between his possessions and Jesus Christ. He failed the test. No matter how perfectly he followed the rules and regulations, he could not be a disciple of Christ because he was unwilling to turn from what he loved the most.
The sole point of the story isn’t that we should sell all our possessions and give everything we have to the poor. Instead, this interaction challenges us to examine and expose the things that capture our hearts. For this young man, money was his idol. For you, it might be something completely different. When we are gripping tightly onto lesser things for fulfillment, it is impossible to receive God’s grace and follow Him with our whole hearts and with complete devotion.
Clenched fists don’t leave much room for receiving. We must take the time to examine ourselves and pinpoint what things we need to let go of and lay at the feet of Jesus.
Reflection
Where do you find yourself having clenched fists? What would it look like for you to let go of control?
Prayer
God, there are things in my life I know I put before You. I am embarrassed to acknowledge this, but I know it is true. Please help me identify these things and why I need to hold onto them so tightly. Show me what I’m afraid You won’t provide but that I think these other things will. Thank You for loving me despite me holding on to something other than You. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.
