Mar 23, 2007 By The Rev. Alexander Jalso 4 min read

Scripture reading: Matthew 19:16-22. Text: “On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ ‘What is written in the Law?’ he replied. ‘How do you read it?’ He answered: ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ ‘You have answered correctly,’ Jesus replied. ‘Do this and you will live.'” Luke 10:25-28. As the end of Lent is getting closer we wish to compare the rich young man (see our Scripture reading) with an expert in the law (see our text) because both of them had approached the Lord with similar questions concerning eternal life. Let these two questions and Jesus’ answers to them help us to do some soul-searching and seek divine guidance.

THE FIRST QUESTIONS

Both men presented almost identical questions: “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” asked the rich young man, and “Teacher . . . what must I do to inherit eternal life?” asked the expert in the law. (Other translations say: lawyer.) What do the quests of these two curious men reveal to us?

1. The eternal life was an important issue in Jesus’ time. Think about the dialogue between Christ and Nicodemus, John 3:1-14. What are the favored topics of discussion today? Sports? Entertainments? Politics? Family? However, for how many people is this an existential issue; “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Our interest in moral, spiritual, and eternal life has diminished.

2. The same question had been presented to Christ by two men with completely different frames of mind; while the rich young man was honestly interested to know what good deed he had to do to have eternal life, the expert in the law wished to put Jesus to test and if possible trap him: “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” The word “inherit” is typical of the legal profession. Not only the meanings of the words count but the intention with which they were spoken as well.

THE SECOND SET OF QUESTIONS

After both men had received their respective answers they were ready with the second question and here they are totally different. While the expert in the law still carries on his cunning curiosity and asks: “And who is my neighbor?” the rich ruler reveals his personal concern; “‘All these I have kept,’ the young man said ‘WHAT DO I STILL LACK?'” Matthew 19:20.

It is a valid question; was this rich young man a self-centered person who had considered himself almost perfect or was he an honest seeker who knew that he needed help to enter the kingdom of God? Most probably he sincerely approached Jesus because the Lord liked him, Mark 10:21, and when he found Christ’s answer too hard to comply with, he had left disappointed, Matthew 19:22. How many of us would (or should) ask the same question from God: “What do I still lack?” Is not it much easier to blame others, find excuses, not to bother our conscience, than to ask: “WHAT DO I STILL LACK?’

2. The answer Jesus gave was not welcomed by this young man: “‘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.” Matthew 19:21-22. How would have this young man acted finding a half-dead man in the ditch? Like the priest or the Levite or the Good Samaritan? Please read Luke 10:29-37, the continuation of our text. Can the word of God be presented today as Jesus had answered this young man? Can we agree with Apostle Paul? “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” 2 Corinthians 7:10.

What do these two stories have in common? Both relationships, with God and with our neighbor, are equally important and both of them shall be a conviction as well as a commitment; namely what you believe in should be practiced, and what you do should be confirmed by your faith. Christian life is nothing else but a harmonious cooperation among your heart, soul, hands and mind.

The Rev. Alexander Jalso is a retired United Presbyterian minister living in Brownsville.