The One Thing

Not everyone who hears the call of Christ says "Yes."  Of course, some say, "No" but later change their "No" to "Yes," but there are also those who say "No" and stick with it.  Matthew, the gospel writer, tells us about such a person as he writes about the encounter of the rich young man and Jesus.  By all accounts he would have made a good church member, one a preacher would be eager to add to the rolls.  He not only knew all the commandments, but saw himself as one who kept them.  He also had a load of money some of which could go in the church coffers.  I remember a few visitors at church who caused some of my budget driven members to remind me to make a visit.     

The rich young ruler was this kind of guy.  Instead of making it easy for him to join the disciples, Jesus said, "If you wish to be perfect, go, sell your possessions, and give the money to the poor,and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me."  (Matthew 19:21)  We know how that story ended.  The young man had much and he went away with regret because it was more important to him than becoming a follower of Jesus.  He no doubt was a candidate for discipleship who had great potential, but he would not pay the price required of him by the One who he thought he wanted to follow.      

Too many times we start out the journey of faith intent on not being too inconvenienced or changed by our new faith.  Oh, we say in those beginning moments that we surrender everything to Christ, but the truth points to another reality.  Some of us may hang on to the right to be in charge of determining a level of generosity.  Others may decide to go with Jesus while holding tightly to a broken relationship filled with anger and an unforgiving spirit.  And, of course, there are those who start out assuming that being in charge is what Christ will allow them to do.  The "one thing" may have a different name for each one of us, but it is something which must finally be left somewhere on the side of the road, or our obedience will always be something less than perfect and mostly compromised.