The Rich Young Ruler Revisited

As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?”

Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.”

He said, “Teacher, I have-from my youth-kept them all!”

Jesus looked him hard in the eye-and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.”

The man’s face clouded over, as this was the last thing he expected to hear. Suddenly, he had an idea.

“But Teacher, what if we try this: I’ll stay here with the way things are, I’ll keep all my stuff, and I’ll tell people it’s a blessing from you! It’s a win-win for both of us-I get to maintain my lifestyle, and you end up looking good! What do you think?”

Jesus pondered this and said, “Well, I hadn’t thought of that. Give me a second.” After a few moment’s reflection he turned to the man and smiled.

“Deal!” Jesus exclaimed.

And the man went away rejoicing and praising God, as he was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

With apologies to Eugene Peterson and thanks to Derek Webb.