White Knuckle Holding

We all know his story.  He came to Jesus with a legitimate question, "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"  (Matthew 19:16)  If there is a definitive answer, we would all like to know.  The problem is that the young man who asked it and ended up hearing an answer he did not want to hear could be anyone of us.  He was religious.  He knew right from wrong and toed the mark.  He was a member of his religious community, knew its foundational tenets, and lived by them.  He was a decent and honorable person who was well regarded in the community.   

There is a part of us which wants to declare Jesus too hard on him.  Maybe we feel that way because we feel like he is us and the answer is too hard for us as well.  Jesus told him, "...go, sell your. possessions, and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, and follow me."  (Matthew 19:21).  The young man heard and, "went away grieving, for he had many possessions."  (Matthew 19:22).   For the sake of getting him on board as a follower, Jesus could have offered an easier word.   The truth is none of us can really walk the road of discipleship with Jesus until we learn to be content with nothing.  

We hold on to everything which is a part of our life with a white knuckle grip.  What we hold with this white knuckle grip is not so much stuff as it is what has such a hold on us that we cannot envision life without it.  It could be money.  It could be a relationship.  It could be status.  It could be more things than can be named.  We are not free to live until we learn to be content with nothing.  Only when we learn to be content with nothing are we free to receive what is out there and not yet here, but coming.  Only when we are content with nothing can we forsake all and really go after Jesus.