The Rich Young Ruler

As Jesus is on his way from Judea, he is approached by a young man: ”Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?

The answer he gets is a bit puzzling — ”Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.

The ruler thought this part easy, and he promises he has done this all his life. Not quite satisfied, the ruler asks: ”All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?

And here’s the really uncomfortable part — Jesus issues a challenge to the ruler, ”If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.

This young ruler was rich, you see — and when the challenge sank in, his spirits fell and he walked away grieving.

Most people are familiar with the story of the rich young ruler — but I wonder if we don’t fully understand what the challenge means, in terms that seem applicable to us today….

Over the last few weeks, I’ve come across several passages that all seem to point back at the same core tenet: Seek first God, all else is secondary.

Then Jesus said to His disciples, ”If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24)

My fear is seeing people who read this passage and turn it into some weird twisted legalistic thing. They end up needlessly keeping themselves from doing things because they think blocking themselves from doing those said things is to deny themselves.

Take ice cream: I enjoy ice cream. A lot. I find it rather enjoyable to eat. Now, I don’t think that the passage is telling me to deny eating food. Or deny myself eating ice cream, or even deny myself enjoying eating said ice cream.

So what does it mean?

I think the passage refers to denying ourselves the things that we put ahead of our relationship with God. The challenge to “deny yourself” as issued by Jesus, is really a challenge to deny sin. That can be a difficult struggle to live out, but also a very fulfilling one.

For the rich young ruler, the challenge was to give up all his carefully collected riches. His most important things he was asked to give away.

Some are afraid of losing money. Others their big house, car or boat. Maybe it’s prestige and social standing…. Idolatry. We put other things before God, stupidly thinking it will do us good.

For me, it’s often trust: Silly as it may sound, my brain tries to twist reality into me thinking that I can take care of myself better than God, and so I don’t trust that he has what’s best for me in mind.

But just as with the rich young ruler, we are issued the same challenge:

Let it go. Give it up.

Of course this is all easier said than done. But we have a helper — He is more than willing to help us through the struggle. He’ll give us strength when it’s difficult, he’ll give us comfort when it’s tough, and through all it, there is love.