One Thing (19:16-30)

The Gospel According to Matthew
Jesus for President (Part 53: One Thing)

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked,
"Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
"Why do you ask me about what is good?
There is only One who is good.
If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?"
"Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself."
"All these I have kept, what do I still lack?"
"If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

1. What do we know about this man?
Ruler (Luke 18:18)
Young (Matt 19:20, 22)
Rich (all 3)
Seeker (Mark 10:17)
Morally upright (Matt 19:20)

2. Did Jesus deny His goodness here?
Some use this statement to say that Jesus was rejecting the idea that He was God
But if that's true, He was also rejecting the idea that He was good!
So it seems Jesus was asking the rich young ruler if he REALLY knew what he was saying

3. Why didn’t Jesus just tell him to believe?
Not very Evangelical of Jesus!
Option 1: We've neglected the Law
Option 2: Jesus is cleverly showing the problem with the law

4. Is there significance to the list/order Jesus gives?
Maybe the focus is on the 10th (He doesn't directly mention coveting)
Maybe the focus is on the first tablet (He doesn't directly mention them)

5. Is the command to sell all a universal command?
Doesn't seem to be, only made direct to this man
But the command to 'surrender all' is universal

6. Why were the disciples so surprised by 19:24?
This guy was the poster child for what they thought was a model kingdom citizen
And Jesus was saying he wasn't even able to enter the kingdom!

7. Is there ‘one thing’ I am holding back from Jesus?
If not, I can start to dream about eternal life!

*Until I give up that 'one thing'
I'm not quite ready to follow Jesus