Matthew 19:16-22
A young man approached Jesus and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?"
He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good? There is only One who is good. If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments."
He asked him, "Which ones?"
And Jesus replied, "You shall not kill; you shall not commit adultery; you shall not steal; you shall not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and you shall love your neighbor as yourself."
The young man said to him, "All of these I have observed. What do I still lack?"
Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When the young man heard this statement, he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
I love how this guy keeps upping the ante. It’s almost like an ego boost at first, because clearly he knows he’s gonna get the first question right. He knows that he follows all 10 commandments. I imagine this guy was ready to hear Jesus say, “Dude, you’re perfect! Here’s your ticket to Paradise. Keep up the good work!” But instead, Jesus pulls a fast one (which I feel like Jesus is really good at doing) and he ups the ante even more
Suddenly, Jesus throws in all the chips... and he leans back to watch this proud man squirm. Jesus is like, “Ok, son. If you’re so confident. Go all in like me…” And the dude cannot bring himself to do it. So he forfeits the chance to win. He doesn’t even try! He just walks away, sad.
I like to imagine that later in life the man realizes his huge mistake. Maybe years down the road he’s reached the pinnacle of success. Maybe he has the perfect job, the perfect family and home and an epic lifestyle. He goes to the temple faithfully, but he STILL hasn’t gone all in for Christ. He’s still holding back parts of himself. But then, one day, he realizes something. The chase for outward perfection has ended. He has it all. He’s done it all. Suddenly, he stops feeling fulfilled by his possessions and his wife and his achievements. He’s felt it deep down all along that he can do MORE. And He can BE more. I like to imagine this man does the unexpected. No he doesn't go buy a fancy new camel. maybe he sells half his land to rescue a neighbor. Or hires a band of gentiles who are starving and need jobs. It doesn’t mean he literally sold himself into poverty. Rather, he sells himself to God’s will. He gives in to the heart of Christ and finally becomes the selfless and humble man Jesus knew he could be.
In the end of my made up ending, I like to think his children have gained a more loving father, his wife a more selfless husband, and the world has one less “taker” and one more “giver.” He puts all the chips on the table… And on the night he dies, Jesus welcomes him into Heaven with a proud smile and says, “Well done, my good and faithful servant. Now THAT’s what I was talkin’ about!”