Commandment #1

“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” asked a young man, still breathless from running to the place where Jesus was teaching. The crowd had stepped back in deference, assuming him to be a ruler due to his fine clothing and confident bearing. Jesus squinted at the man and responded, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.” He paused, still considering the young ruler, and then continued, “Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.”

The young man’s countenance brightened as Jesus answered him, “Master, all these have I observed from my youth!” he stammered excitedly.

The air hung hot and still, and the people were still also, interested to hear what happened next. Would this ruler measure up to Jesus’s standard where others had not? This young man seemed kind and respectful, and appreciated Jesus’s words.

Jesus, ignoring the crowd as they listened in, stared intently into the eyes of the young man. A loving smile crossed his face, and he nodded, as an older brother would to a sibling he cared for. His eyes, deep and unwavering, clouded ever so slightly, as He breathed in and said carefully, “One thing thou lackest…” The young man tensed and listened closely as Jesus continued, “go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow me.”

The young ruler dropped his head and stared at the ground. A dull murmur rose up in the crowd gathered around. The disciples looked at each other. They had left everything to follow Christ; their homes, their families, their jobs….would this young man join them?

The young man slowly rose to his feet, wringing his hands in front of him. He lifted his eyes to Jesus and sighed loudly. Jesus tilted His head and began to reach out His hand to the young ruler, but the man suddenly turned and walked away, through the people gathered around, his head hanging, shoulders slumped, deeply disturbed and saddened by Jesus’s words. How could he sell all? He was a wealthy man, with responsibility, with position! Oh how people would talk about him! The crowd and the disciples stood with Jesus and watched the man go, until he was long down the road, and disappeared into the rising shadows of dusk.

Reader, I have had this story, this scene, playing over and again in my mind this week. Several moments are striking to me; a proud young man - who apparently is a very good man - recognizes Jesus Christ as “Master”. I like him already! Jesus tests him with the commandments, and the young man passes the test. Most men would not, but here we have found a good man. The writer recognizes that Jesus loved him; Jesus appreciated this good young man!

But then Jesus drops the bomb. “Sell all…” And in doing so, Jesus exposes that this young man had followed the commandments from his youth, but somehow he had missed on Commandment #1, “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.” (Exodus 20:3). Were God Jehovah this young man’s god, then selling all would not have been an impossible thing to require, but his god was money/position/prestige. He could not sell all because he would in doing lose his very identity. But had he done so he would have been one of Jesus’s disciples! He very well may have met the resurrected Messiah! He could have been numbered with the one hundred and twenty in the upper room on the Day of Pentecost! Stood behind Bro Peter when he stepped up to preach to the crowd that day! But for all we know he went home instead, dejected, and went back to normal operations, secure in his wealth, but lost as could be.

I feel deep compassion for this young man, and I believe Jesus did too. This world makes it difficult to understand and truly weigh out the price of admission into the Kingdom of Heaven. But make no mistake of it, the price is going to be our “all”. All other gods must be torn down and destroyed, so the one true God can reign supreme in our hearts. But once we yield all to God, and surrender everything to His supreme control, then He blesses the converted soul with the gift of the Holy Ghost, and we are sanctified. Forever changed!

I think this may be the reason Jesus begins His conversation with the young man by saying “…there is none good but…God.” It has got to be all about Him! Here was a “good” man, seeking out a “good” teacher. But what the world calls “good” is often not good enough for God. Does it glorify God?

In our seeking to please God, and live holy lives, let’s not forget Commandment #1. “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” applies just as much today as ever. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)

The text above in the story (I trust you understand my intent in sharing how I see it and hear it in the theatre of my mind) is taken from St Mark 10:17-22.