This is the first message on our expectations for one another. The other messages in this series are available here

Scripture Reading:
Matthew 19:16-22

Rich Young Ruler

Message Files / Archive / WHF

The stories in the Bible are almost always short on detail. No biblical writer ever takes time to describe the sound of Jesus laughing or what the sun looks like as it sinks behind the Mount of Olives. There aren’t many details in Scripture. And so, when a detail does appear, it’s probably a very deliberate choice. It’s something that the author wants you to know. Mark wants us to know that the Rich Young Ruler came running to Jesus.

The question becomes: why?

This process is what makes Scripture interesting to me. As I reflect on what motivates the Rich Young Ruler, I also think about how his story is like my own. Are there ways in which I treat Jesus like the drive-thru window at Burgerville? When I run to Jesus, is it out of devotion or because I am in a hurry?

This is how I interact with the text.

At first glance, I find it a little surprising to hear Jesus tell this young man, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only One who is good.” It sounds peevish. Why would Jesus rebuke someone who comes asking for advice?

Ah, but if this guy is treating Jesus like a drive-through window, then the words of Jesus start to make more sense. Of course Jesus will refuse to distribute spiritual advice like fast food through a drive up window. He will say, “If you want to know about eternal life, then spend time with God. I’m not offering any shortcuts.” Interacting with the text helps me fit the story together in a way that makes sense.

Even after this rebuke, the Rich Young Ruler is still looking for a shortcut. When Jesus tells the young man to keep the commandments, he actually replies, “Which ones?” What’s the short list? Asking which commandments you have to keep is just another way of asking which commandments can you ignore!

Whatever his shortcomings, I think the Rich Young Ruler is sincere. His longing is sincere. In fact, Mark explicitly tells us that Jesus responds to this young man with love. When the Rich Young Ruler says, “I have kept all these commandments since I was a boy,” Mark notes that Jesus looked at him and loved him.

* * *

Although I keep talking about Mark, I chose to read you Matthew’s version of the story. In Matthew’s version of the story, Jesus offers a different list of commandments. In this telling, Jesus ends his list with, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

If you want to enter life, obey the commandments. 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,' and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'

“Okay,” the Rich Young Ruler replies, “perfect. I do all that stuff.”

And Jesus decides to push him a little bit. I think Jesus says, “Really, you love your neighbor as yourself? You do that? Because I notice that you’re wearing really nice clothes. I mean, you look good. And I notice you look well fed. I can smell the pancakes you had for breakfast. You sleep in a big, warm bed at night. You live behind the shelter of four strong walls.

“If you love your neighbor as yourself, how come you live so much better than they do? If you really want to be perfect, then sell your possessions and give money to the poor.”

* * *

I don’t think the Rich Young Ruler was lying when he told Jesus that loved his neighbor as himself. Up until that moment, I think the young man believed it. He really believed that he loved his neighbor. He wasn’t a robber or a cheat. I’m sure he felt bad when others suffered a misfortune. He was a decent human being.

It simply never occurred to him that loving his neighbor might cost him so much.

It’s not his great wealth that saddens the Rich Young Ruler. If his wealth was the problem he’d be happy to give it away! No. He is saddened because the cost of love is so much higher than he imagined.

At the end of this story, the Rich Young Ruler comes face-to-face with his own weakness. Instead of giving him a shortcut, Jesus offers the young man a realistic appraisal of all the work that needs to be done. If you love your neighbor as yourself, then all your resources will be at their disposal. For perhaps the first time, the Rich Young Ruler sees how hard it is to really love others. His eyes are open. And he feels overwhelmed by what he sees.

* * *

As I engage this story, it’s easy for me to feel overwhelmed, too. I know I am more like the Rich Young Ruler than I would like to admit. At the end of December, I always have to go through my closet to make room for new clothes. I wonder how many articles of clothing the Rich Young Ruler possessed. Although it pains me to admit it, I wouldn’t be surprised to learn that I probably have more. I certainly have a more comfortable house – with hot and cold running water, electric lights, and central heat. I have a lot of stuff.

Not all my neighbors live this way.

A story like this makes me uncomfortable.

* * *

It’s worth noting, I think, that Jesus doesn’t do anything to take away the sting. When the Rich Young Ruler grows sad and walks away, Jesus doesn’t run after him. Sometimes, this is how the Light of God works in our lives. The Light comes on and we see something uncomfortable in ourselves. We see something broken. We see something that is different than what we expected.

Once we have seen the truth, we have a decision to make. Will we allow the Light to do its work on us, becoming changed by what we see? Or will we shrink from the Light, and continue living as we did before our eyes were opened?

* * *

What if someone from our community actually did it? What if someone sitting near you today sold everything in her possession and gave it to the poor? What would we do? As a community, how would we react? Because if that happened, if someone here sold everything and gave it away, then we would have a very poor person in our midst. She would be homeless. She would be without a car. She would have nothing.

What would we do?

Let me tell you what I think we would do. I think we would say, “That’s amazing. What a cool thing to do. But you know, she made her choice. That was her decision. I guess she’ll have to live with the consequences.” Is that too harsh? What do you think?

I know we would want to help. I’m sure we’d be willing to pass on our old clothes. Once a month, someone could offer to give her a ride to Potluck in the Park. But each one of us already has a life. We have kids. We have a career. We have a mortgage. Each one of us already has something that demands our attention. As a community, we just don’t have the infrastructure to support one overzealous adult who decides to give away all her property. Our lives are just not set up to do this.

* * *

[NOTE: Although it’s not in the transcript, I spoke here about Derek. He felt hurt by his experience at WHF. He had expectations for us that went unmet.]

* * *

This is a great community. Being with you is my spiritual home. I respect and admire each one of you. I love you.

In the coming year, I want us to talk about what it means to love each other. What is the cost of the love we have for each other. Because we love each other, what can we expect from one another?

It feels uncomfortable to even ask the question. But sometimes, this is how the Light of God works.

Because we love each other, what can we expect from one another?

There is no judgement in this question. There is no condemnation. It’s just a question for us to examine together in the Light of God.