Matthew 19:16-17 (KJV) “And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”

Matthew 19:18-19 “He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, 19 Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”

Matthew 19:20 “The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up…”

What Lack I Yet?

This story, while on the surface looking very apparent, takes some second and third looks to get down to the root of what was going on with this young man. It is also a troubling instance for many so-called teachers and religious scholars today.

What Lack I Yet? The question – what lack I yet? – may seem well-intentioned, but is actually one that is looking for affirmation of the young man’s own righteousness. This second question was actually preceded by one that showed a lack of understanding.

Matthew 19:16-17 (KJV)

What Lack I Yet? The young ruler didn’t truly understand who Jesus was. Luke 6:46, John 14:15

Luke 6:46; John 14:15

What Lack I Yet? The young ruler didn’t truly understand who Jesus was. Luke 6:46, John 14:15 Jesus showed the young man that while his objective may have been to “keep commandments,” Jesus’ objective was to glorify God!

Matthew 19:16-17 (KJV)

What Lack I Yet? Was Jesus just confirming the legalism of the Old Law by reinforcing the idea of “keeping the commandments”? If “keeping the commandments” is not important, then why give them in the first place? (see Psalm 119:97-104) Why would it be necessary to teach them to our children (Deut. 6:7) and to “keep them” from our youth?

What Lack I Yet? We get some insight as to Jesus’ ability to get to the “heart” of the matter when he answers another one of the young man’s questions.

Matthew 19:18-19

What Lack I Yet? We get some insight as to Jesus’ ability to get to the “heart” of the matter when he answers another one of the young man’s questions. All of the commandments Jesus recites are ones having to do with our actions toward others! He knew that the rich young ruler had a special area in which he was weak (in addition to just thinking that checking off a “list” was what was needed!)

Matthew 19:21-22 “Jesus said to him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.’ 22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

What Lack I Yet? Despite what we see on the surface of this account, there was more than one thing holding this young man back from serving God. It wasn’t just the love of his riches. It was the fact that he did not want to follow Christ!

Matthew 19:23-24 “Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’”

Matthew 19:25-26 “When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’ 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, ‘With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”

What Lack I Yet?

First of all, we should ask questions that seek to find righteous answers – not self-righteous ones!

Acts 2:37; 8:30; 16:30

What Lack I Yet? First of all, we should ask questions that seek to find righteous answers – not self-righteous ones! We should cultivate our love for God by following the example of Christ.

Luke 10:25-28

Matthew 3:13-15

Matthew 3:16-17 “When He had been baptized, Jesus came up immediately from the water; and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting upon Him. 17 And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’”

What Lack I Yet?