Matthew 19 - The Disciple That Never Was

Oftentimes, when Jesus called men to become his disciples, He would say something like this, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” The response that followed would be something like this, “And they straightway left their nets, and followed him.” The disciples of Christ were willing to drop what they were doing and follow Him. One verse even said this, “they forsook all, and followed him.” As far as they were concerned, this was the Messiah, and there was nothing more important than serving Him. However, here in Matthew 19, we are introduced to the disciple who never was. He was given the opportunity to follow Christ, just as the other disciples had been given the same, but turned it down.


“And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”


This man approached Jesus with a common question, how to get eternal life. Notice he called Jesus, “Good Master.” While he was simply acknowledging that Jesus was a great teacher, He may not have known who Jesus really was. Jesus replied, “...there is none good but one, that is, God.” Jesus was setting the stage for the conversation that would follow. Have you ever thought about that? There is none good, but God... If we are not God, are we good? In the eyes of ourselves we may be good, or in the eyes of others, but not in the eyes of God. For all have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus then said, “...but if you wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Jesus then pointed him to the commandments. “Tho shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not 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.” Notice that Jesus lists some of the ten commandments, but then gives a commandment that was greater than these, “Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.” Romans 13:9-10 teaches that love is the fulfilling of the law.


“The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”


Notice that they young man says he has kept these things, but still knows that he lacks something. If he is telling the truth, then surely he has kept these parts of the law in a legalistic sense. Rather than know the heart of God (love) which is behind the commandments, he has been simply keeping them as a mere checklist. He seems to think that he has loved his neighbor as himself.


“Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”


While my time is short, I must be brief. Jesus put his love to the test by issuing this command. If he truly loves his neighbor, then he would be willing to part with his things to help them. If he truly loved God, He would be willing to be obedient and do these things in order to follow Him. While the disciples of Christ were not really rich men, they were willing to give up what they had in order to follow Christ. This man, who had great riches, was unable to do so. Read verses 23-24 to see what Jesus said about this. Here are a few questions to consider:  


Do I understand that I am not good and need the grace of God to be saved? (“there is none good, but one, that is, God”)


Am I obedient to Christ in the things I don't do (lie, steal, kill, etc.) or in the things that I do (give, witness, help others, etc.)?


Do I have riches/possessions that I am unwilling to part with in order to serve God?


What things in my life hinder me from serving God to the utmost of my potential?