Exception

I will do everything EXCEPT that one extra thing?

Rich Young Ruler (Chris Cook)

It is so easy to get ninety percent of the thing done well.

In fact, a person can score a high distinction doing ninety percent of the job (or even a little less).  And a high distinction is very well regarded.

And yet, there is a little more complication in what God is asking of us.

Today, I have been reflecting on the story of the rich young man and his conversation with Christ.  There he was – waiting for the Messiah.  Clearly, he believed in God and in Christ because his conversation was deep and meaningful.  He was not asking trite questions and was not worried about missing out on anything.  Instead, he was trying to work out what more was required of him.  That young man was really after perfection.  He was not interested in part of perfection, but rather was interested in a permanent solution with a complete possibility.

And this meant that he was not interested in doing half a job.  And Christ saw that in the man.  And so, He asked the young man for more than half a job.  He asked that young man for everything…

“And behold, one came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do, to have eternal life?’ And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? One there is who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ He said to him, ‘Which?’ And Jesus said, ‘You shall not kill, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honour your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ The young man said to him, ‘All these I have observed; what do I still lack?’  Jesus said to him, ‘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.’ When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions.” (Matthew 19:16-22).

And I have been reflecting on the sorrow of that young man today.  I have been thinking about what it really means when he said no and went away sad.  It is one thing to think about how this is in theory and judge this young man.  How could he say no to the opportunity to follow Christ?  That is God!  How did someone look at God and then decide NOT to follow Him for any reason at all?

And yet, is this not what I do every day of my life?  Does not God come to me in many forms and ask me for ONE MORE THING, and do I not respond and say, I will do everything EXCEPT that one extra thing?

How sad for me that I am that rich young man, and do not even have enough goodness in me to go away sorrowful – I do not even see what I am turning away from.