What One Thing?

A certain man once asked Jesus, "What one good thing must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Matt 19:16).  He felt confident he was already in pretty good standing with God as he had been keeping the Commandments since he was a child, but wanted to make sure he hadn't missed something - he had. 

Jesus acknowledged that he had been faithful in keeping the Commandments but there was one area where he had missed the boat entirely: The giving of himself, in particular, his self-reliance. 

He was a very rich man and put his trust in his riches.  While he was willing to follow the Commandments, he was not willing to follow Jesus if it meant giving up his safety net and his control of life's circumstances via his money. 

Jesus was making a claim on his life and offering a calling to follow him by finally and fully letting go of self and self-determination but it was too much for him as he had great personal wealth, which provided him with personal identity and power to personally be in charge of the quality of his life - at least that is the lie Satan had sold him. 

Jesus was calling him to sell out lock, stock and barrel, but he only wanted to make a small investment in the Kingdom. God, on the other hand, does not make partial sales. One is either completely sold on the Gospel or one passes on the opportunity. 

The one thing is yourself, not some one thing you possess or can part with. It wasn't the money but his love of self and desire for self-reliance over giving in and giving over to God. 

He needed to give up his claim to self-determination and follow Jesus in faith: Jesus answered, “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.” (Matt 19:21).  Jus' Sayn.