I have taught the life of Christ for many years to my Bible classes. The stories are so familiar to me, and they are so real. They are real because I made a trip to Israel many years ago, and the things I saw on that trip made the stories of the Gospels come to life in my mind. When I teach the stories that take place on or around the Sea of Galilee, I remember the feeling of being on a boat in the middle of that body of water or eating a meal beside it. I can close my eyes and see it and remember the beauty of it.

Each parable, each miracle, each sermon, and each event leave me wanting to return to see and learn more. Though that is probably not going to happen—the going back—at least I can still bring those images to mind.

There is one story that I always tell my students that leaves me wondering and sad. It is the story of the rich young ruler. We find the story in Matthew 19 where Jesus has been praying for little children. He touched them and declared that “of such is the kingdom of heaven.”

Then a young man came to Him and wanted to know what good thing he needed to do to go to heaven. Jesus replied that he should obey the commandments, and the young man wanted Jesus to name them; in other words, tell him exactly what he needed to do. So, Jesus did. He said, “You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man, apparently very proud of himself, declared that he had done all of these. So, now he wants to know, “What do I still lack?” Jesus’ answer is clear. “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

Here we have a young man who is obviously a good person. His reasoning behind the keeping of the commandments may have been faulty, because it appears that he was keeping the laws just to go to heaven. Jesus requires more. He told the young man that if he really wanted to be perfect or complete, he must sell his possessions and give the money away–to the poor. That obviously did not make him happy. It seems that he was checking to see if Jesus had any new command that would be necessary in order for him to be saved. Jesus wanted him to obey the commandments, imitate His example, and to go with Him.

Notice some things about the outcome of this story. Jesus did not bargain with the young man. He didn’t say, “You’ve done enough. You are a good person, and you don’t need to do anything else. Your money will help us out.” That is not what happened. There was a set price, and there could be no compromise.

Jesus did not run after him. He allowed the young man to walk away. He had nothing more to offer him, just treasure in heaven. Since the young man was unwilling to comply with the remaining requirements, Jesus could not help him.

John records a conversation Jesus had with the Jews about being the bread of life. In verses 52-66, Jesus told them that they must eat His flesh and drink His blood. He was not, of course, telling them to literally do this; this would have been repulsive as well as sinful to the Jews. Jesus used this to show that they must be partakers of His teaching and His mission. Later, baptism put them and puts us today into His death; and the Lord’s Supper is commanded to remember His suffering and death by eating bread and drinking the fruit of the vine in remembrance of Him.

One other point to consider in this story. Jesus does not draw someone into Him and then raise the price. He makes the total cost clear from the beginning. He did that with this young man, and He does it with us. He makes the cost clear in John 6. Eternal life will come to those who follow Him and obey His commandments. We can’t leave something out because we don’t like it or disagree with it. If we do, then we are just like the rich young ruler. We must obey all the commandments.

If someone is teaching a version of Christianity that has no cost, no commitment, no requirements, then it is worthless. Jesus says that we have to leave family, comfort, possessions, even everything to serve Him. The reward will be eternal life. Is that worth paying the price?

Sandra Oliver