One day Jesus was approached by a man and he said, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” Matthew 19:16
Jesus responded to his query by saying, “Why do you ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” Matthew 19:17
The man asked, “Which ones?”Matthew 19:18
Then, “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.” Matthew 19:18-19
When the young man heard Jesus he said, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?”
Matthew 19:20
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.” Matthew 19:21
“When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Matthew 19:22
Mark also shares this encounter in his gospel account. Mark 10:17-22
In his account he states that the man, “Ran up and knelt before” Jesus when he asked his question. Mark 10:17
In his account the response from Jesus is very similar to that of Mathew.
When he shares the young man’s response to Jesus, he indicates that the young man said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” Mark 10:20
Mark then notes that, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come follow Me.”
Mark then states that the young man, “Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Mark 10:22
Luke also gives an account of this meeting. Luke 18:18-24
He acknowledges the man as a, “Ruler.” Luke 18:18
He continues by sharing a very similar discourse between the man and Jesus as that of Matthew and Mark.
He concludes by saying that when the man heard Jesus, “He became very sad, for he was extremely wealthy.” Luke 18:23
Then he goes onto state that, “Jesus, seeing that he had become sad. Said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God.” Luke 18:24
After reading this you might feel perplexed and puzzled so I encourage you to read the conclusion of these accounts. Matthew 19:23-30; Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:26-30
About the author:
Don and his wife Brenda have been married 48 years. They have two married sons Jason/Crista and Nicholas/Heather and four grandsons Luke, Ryker, Blake and Drew. Don is a graduate of the Gateway School of Preaching, Fairview Heights, IL, the Bristol Roads School of Biblical Studies, Flint, MI and he has a bachelor’s degree in religious education from Michigan Christian College. He has been preaching since 1979. He has preached at Pacific, MO; Howell, MI; Arnold, MO; Festus, MO; Dexter, MO; and De Soto, MO where he has served since 2007. He also serves the congregation as one of the elders. Don has done campaigns and meetings in several states and mission work in Cuba, India, and Jamaica. Don refers to himself as a “Minister” because he loves ministering to others and helping them learn about Jesus and growing in their relationship with Him.
De Soto church of Christ 