Matthew 19:18-20: He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
A young man who happens to have many possessions approaches Jesus with a legitimate question. It seems he has good intentions, unlike some religious leaders who question Jesus in attempt to trap him in his words. He calls Jesus “Teacher”, which is a slight variation from the accounts of Mark and Luke that read, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17–27, Luke 18:18–27). The difference seems subtle. But Matthew is making a distinction, perhaps because he is writing to a primarily Jewish audience. I often paraphrase Matthew 12:34, noting that what’s in the heart comes out of the mouth, and that is what happens here.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
No matter how pure his intentions are, this young man’s words reveal his heart; the condition of the human heart.
And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments” (v.17).
Jesus alludes to the root problem by clarifying that God alone is good. (How can sinful fallen man accomplish anything good?) But Jesus doesn’t expand on that point any further and tells him keeping the commandments is the path to eternal life.
He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (v.18-19)
The man asks a clarifying question as to which commands he should keep. Jesus starts naming them.
The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” (v.20)
The man replies that he has kept all the commandments and asks what he still lacks. Really?
I’m thinking about that kid in class who asks for clarification on a question and isn’t getting it, no matter how well the teacher explains …to the point that it gets awkward for the other students in the classroom.
Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (v.21)
I’m not saying this passage isn’t about possessions; we know from the text that his possessions are the reason why the man leaves sorrowful (v.22). But let’s forget what we think what we know and summarize what we do:
- This young man approaches Jesus asking what good deed he can do.
- Jesus responds to keep God’s commands.
- The man presents his checklist with all the boxes marked off.
- Jesus
challenges him to sell all that he has and follow himbrings up perfection, then challenges him to sell all that he has and follow him.
When he says he has kept all the commandments, the man reveals a sincere yet desperately inaccurate view of himself and his abilities. He is looking for one more good deed, but apparently he’s already done them all. He’s a “good person”. Then Jesus, who knows all hearts, addresses the real issue. The now sorrowful man makes his choice and leaves. (How did he think Jesus would answer?)
Lord, reveal any incorrect perceptions we have of our own goodness. Give us the desire to truly surrender to you, so we aren’t held back from following you wholeheartedly.
