Matthew 19:16-30 | What Do You Know About Yourself?

The story of the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19 is not a simple story for our entertainment but a window into our soul. Jesus dealt with him with compassionate, but almost surgical precision, revealing to this young seeker the real issue at his core.

THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT EVERYBODY KNOWS.

Everyone could easily see about this man that he was a rich man, a young man, and a ruler. He had money, his future, and he was a man of great importance. He seemed to have everyone you would need to have the best life.

What are the things that are obvious about you?

THERE ARE SOME THINGS ABOUT YOU THAT ONLY YOU AND JESUS KNEW.

Who knew about this man who seemed to have everything that he was missing the one thing that mattered? LIFE! He came to Jesus because he knew (and Jesus knew) that he didn't have real life. So he asked "Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?" (VS. 16)

What are the things about you and me that you are looking to, other than Jesus, to give us life? When the television is off at the end of the night, do you go to bed with a settled peace about your existence and your eternity? Or do you have a nagging fear that you are missing real life? No one else may know, but you know, and Jesus knows.

THERE IS ONE THING ABOUT YOU THAT ONLY JESUS KNOWS

This young seeker came to Jesus because he thought that the Great Teacher may have the secret to settle the loss in his soul. Jesus looked into his soul and saw the idol he was clutching that he believed would give him life. It was his possessions.

So Jesus told the man to go sell his possessions. Why? These things were what he was looking to for life. Jesus was showing him that he must turn from what he thought was giving him life, and “Come follow Me" (vs. 21). Why? Only Jesus is the way, the truth, and the LIFE. If you have Him, you have life. If you don’t have Him, your only prospect is separation from God in this life and for all eternity.

What am I looking for, believing in, pursuing to give me life other than Christ? Reputation? Comfort? Pleasure? Material things? I must lay them down and come and follow Jesus—fully, gladly, wholeheartedly—today if I want to truly live!

Father, reveal my heart. Show me anything I am looking to other than You to give me real life. Let me gladly turn from these distractions and come follow You!