“What do I still lack?”—Matthew 19:20
A young man knew something was missing in his life. So he approached Jesus and asked, “What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
“If you want to enter into life,” Jesus responded, “keep the commandments.”
Jesus listed a few commandments, and the young man assured Him, “All these I have kept…What do I still lack?”
This story is told in each of the first three gospels. Combining facts, we know that he was rich, young, and some kind of ruler, probably in the synagogue. A righteous, obedient, successful, upstanding citizen.
But he knew there was more to life than what he was experiencing.
Maybe that’s why, “Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him” (Mark 10:21, NLT).
Jesus knew that what He was about to ask would be hard, but necessary. Following the law was not the way to eternal life.
“There is still one thing you haven’t done,” He told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.”
He knew exactly what was standing in the way of eternal life for this young man.
Eternal life is not possible apart from Jesus, and He will challenge you on whatever is in your life that keeps you from following Him. For the rich young ruler, his wealth was his god.
I believe Jesus also felt compassion for this young man because He knew the sorrow he would experience. Indeed, we are told, “When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth”(Matthew 19:22, NIV).
Was there hope for the rich, young ruler?
I like what Biblical scholar Alfred Edersheim said: “For, ‘looking at him’ in his sincerity and earnestness, ‘He loved him’—as He loves those that are His Own…. And, although we hear no more of him, who that day went back to his rich home very poor, because ‘very sorrowful,’ we cannot but believe that he, whom Jesus loved, yet found in the poverty of earth the treasure of heaven.”1
What is holding you back from a deep relationship with the Lord? Do you feel sorrow over what is lacking in your life?
Surrender what is holding you back. There is hope and there is life because Jesus loves you.
1. Alfred Edersheim, The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah (Aeterna Press, 2015, originally 1883) vol. 2, p. 341.
