What’s Your Stumbling Block?
And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? Matthew 19:16
For today’s post, we find Jesus teaching when He is approached by a man with a burning question on his mind. What do I have to do to go to Heaven? Since like a legitimate question. Certainly the man came to the right place to get the answer. But, Jesus knew there was more to this than just a basic question.
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. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt no commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Matthew 19:17-19
Jesus’ response is interesting and could be somewhat confusing for some. He starts out pointing out to the man that the only “good” one is God. We will see in later verses why Jesus did this. Jesus then tells the man to keep the commandments. The man responds by saying which ones? The man doesn’t realize it but he is revealing so much about himself. Jesus is laying the foundation of witnessing to this man by mentioning the law. Jesus is not telling us that we must work our way to Heaven. This is an opportunity for Jesus to show this man what he refuses to see about himself. We all like to think the best of ourselves. We want to think that we are “good”. But the Bible tells there is “none good. No not one”. Jesus is slowly showing the man his major fault if he is willing to see it.
The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Matthew 19:20
We learn quickly what the young man thinks about himself when he responds to what Jesus tells him. He thinks he is perfect. He actually tells Jesus that he has kept all the commandments since his youth. He has basically told God himself, to His face, that he has no sin. In fact, he asks Jesus “Since I have kept all these that you mention, what else is there?” He thought Jesus was going to tell him that he already had eternal life. He thought he had it made. He was badly mistaken.
Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give it to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. Matthew 19:21
Jesus was not at all surprised by the man’s response. Jesus knew what was in the man’s heart. You see this man was very wealthy. And no doubt, he had probably been receiving special treatment from everyone because of his wealth. It’s no different today. Celebrities can go into a store or restaurant and receive their meals or merchandise for free because of their fame and fortune. Which doesn’t make any sense as they are the very one’s who can most easily afford to pay. Anyway, this man just knew Jesus was going to treat him special like others have. I wish I could have been there to see the man’s face as Jesus told him to sell all he had. Shocked at the very least.
Was Jesus teaching us that in order to go to heaven we must sell all we have and never break a commandment? No, that is not what Jesus is teaching. You see Jesus knew the man’s heart. Jesus knew what was most important in the man’s life. This man was not truly concerned with his relationship with God. He did not love God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. He loved his money. His money had become an idol in his life. Notice that the commandments that Jesus had told him to keep were the commandments that dealt with our relationships with other people. Jesus did not mention the commandments that pertained to our relationship with God. Jesus saved that until now. By telling the man to get rid of his money, Jesus was telling the man to remove his idol. Remove the one thing that had been placed as a higher priority in his life than God. Salvation cannot come to the soul of a man or woman who are not willing to put God first.
But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Matthew 19:22
The young man was deeply troubled by what he heard. He was saddened. He made a choice that day. He chose to keep his temporary money on earth rather than an eternal treasure in heaven. He thought he was perfect. He thought he was a good person. He thought he was good enough. He probably was a good guy. Down here in Mississippi he would have probably been called “good people”. Good doesn’t cut it with God. In God’s eyes, our goodness is as filthy rags according to Isaiah. His money was his stumbling block. It tripped him up in his attempt to run the race of life to God.
What’s your stumbling block? What gets in your way of having the best relationship with God that you can have? Don’t let the temporary things of this earth hinder your walk with God. Certainly don’t allow these things prevent a relationship with God at all.