The Little Children
One day while Jesus was teaching in Judea, some people were bringing their little children to Jesus to be prayed for, but the disciples, for whatever reason, tried to turn them away. Jesus intervened and asked his disciples to “let the little children come to [him],” adding that “to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” He prayed for them, and then Jesus went away (Matthew 19:13–15).
The Rich Man
In the very next verse after Jesus tells his disciples to “let the little children come to me,” the Rich Young Man comes. Notice, he doesn’t have to tell his disciples to “let the rich young man come to me.” No one rebuked the man or tried to turn him away; this was exactly the type of person they wanted to follow Jesus. He was young, like most of the disciples were, but unlike most of the disciples, he was rich. Maybe he inherited his wealth. Maybe he had great success in business. Maybe he was an influential public figure—Luke identifies him as a “ruler” (Luke 18:18)—but it doesn’t matter how he got it. This man had wealth and influence, and everyone knew that this was exactly the type of person you wanted to convince to join your movement—everyone, that is, except Jesus.
The man came to Jesus and asked him, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” (Matthew 19:16) Jesus proceeded to tell him to “keep the commandments,” quoting the sixth, seventh, eighth, ninth, and fifth commandments, as well as the Levitical law, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).
This is interesting because, as many people have pointed out, the fifth through tenth commandments are all about how we relate to other people. Commandments one through four, which Jesus left out here, are about how we relate to God.
The man responded by saying that he had already kept those. Really? Do you believe this? Did Jesus believe this? Maybe by a strict definition he had never committed adultery or murdered, but Jesus had already identified anger with murder (Matthew 5:22) and lust with adultery (Matthew 5:28).
Regardless, Jesus doesn’t press the point. Instead, he turns from these commandments to the man’s relationship with God. However, this time, instead of simply stating commandments one through four, he gives the man a command that demonstrates his love for God: “…go, sell what you possess and give to the poor.” It is also interesting that Jesus wants the man to demonstrate his love for God not only by being fully dependent on God financially, but also by loving other people—specifically the poor. In place of his wealth, he offers the man “treasure in heaven” and bids him to follow him.
The Cost of Following Jesus
This request proved too much for the man, who “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” The cost was too great; how could Jesus possibly ask that? The man couldn’t do it—or maybe, more accurately, he wouldn’t do it. He counted the cost of following Jesus, and it was high—too high. He left with sorrow, but he still left.
Now, before we jump to conclusions and stand in judgment over the man in this story, take a minute to ask yourself what you would do. Seriously, what would you do if you came to Jesus asking for salvation and he asked you to liquidate every asset you had and give it all away—your inheritance, your life savings, your business success—all of it?
We have often heard this story and heard it pointed out that Jesus didn’t ask everyone who came to him to sell everything and give the money away. Of course, this is true, but as New Testament scholar Robert Gundry points out,
“That Jesus did not command all his followers to sell all their possessions gives comfort only to the kind of people to whom he would issue that command.”
We need to realize that Jesus doesn’t bid us to simply respect his teaching or hold him in high regard. He asks us to follow and obey him as our rightful Lord, Master, and King. His orders are not suggestions; his teachings are not up for debate.
The First Shall Be Last
To come to Jesus, you must surrender everything. To come to Jesus, you must submit to him as Lord.
Why is it that Jesus claims the kingdom of God belongs to little children, but this man of great wealth and status in worldly kingdoms couldn’t enter it? Why is it that Jesus goes on to say that “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God”?
Notice, just like the children in the previous verses, Jesus let the rich man come to him—it was the man who went away sad. He could come, but he wouldn’t stay. Jesus didn’t turn him away. It wasn’t impossible, but for this man, the cost was too high. He was first in this world, but last in the kingdom of God.
Maybe this is why the story of the children being brought to Jesus comes right before this event. To the little children, who have nothing to offer—no wealth, status, rank, influence, or position—belongs the kingdom of God, but the rich young ruler, who had so much, chose to hold on to his possessions rather than enter the kingdom.
“But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” — Matthew 19:30
