In the Gospel written by Matthew we read about a rich young man who approached Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good things must I do to inherit eternal life?”

(Mat19:16-22)The very fact that the young man met Jesus to clarify his doubts is commendable. But he came in a complacent state, fully satisfied with his goodness, expecting an applause and appreciation from Jesus. He was leading a good life and his goodness was obvious to all outwardly. He had not committed any open sin and had not offended anyone. He kept all the commandments which he considered to be of great importance. Deep within him there was dissatisfaction and there was a longing which nothing could satisfy. He realized that he missed something but could not find out what it was. This sense of void and the consequent desire to find out the cause drove him to the right place but when the right solution was suggested, he was hesitant to receive that.

One meeting with Jesus was enough to help him identify the spot of weakness. Jesus placed His finger on the sore point and advised him to turn away from his present allegiance. His life was all about, ‘Me’, ‘Materialism’ and ‘Riches’. That idol had to be broken. His first allegiance was his wealth. Being rich was never condemned by Jesus. But the focus of the young man must have been ‘Making wealth and maintaining it’. He may have ignored the needs of others because his eyes were focused on one goal-the goal of making money and the means of multiplying it. Jesus wanted him to come out of his ‘Me and Mine’ circle. Therefore Jesus asked him to sell his riches and give to the poor. The hoard wealth and the pursuit of it were the trap that held the young man captive.

Though he came with a genuine desire, he could not respond positively to the suggestion of Jesus. Therefore he left sad and spiritually limping. Jacob also had an encounter with God. Though he left the place physically limping, he left with the assurance of God’s abiding presence with him. It was because he surrendered everything to God. But the rich young man was not ready to let go his allegiance to a wrong cause. Only when our first allegiance is paid to God and our aspirations are fully surrendered to Him we can enter the kingdom of God.

Dr. (Mrs.) Edriana Jeyasingh