Does following the commandments make you perfect? In Matthew 19 Jesus has a short but dense discussion with a rich young man, sometimes referred to as a rich young ruler. It starts with a discussion about eternal life but quickly jumps to a question of obedience, the commandments, money and being perfect.
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”
Matthew 19:16
Great question!
Jesus responds:
“Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.”
Matthew 19:17
Recall that Jesus came to fulfill the law, not to abolish the law. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments:
“You shall not murder, You shall not commit adultery, You shall not steal, You shall not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Matthew 19:18-19
The man responds saying that he keeps all of these already, and asks if there is anything he is missing.
Jesus then raises the bar, from having eternal life to being perfect:
“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.”
Matthew 19:21
This is an incredible invitation to a deeper relationship and intimacy with Jesus. But the rich young man doesn’t take the opportunity.
When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Matthew 19:22
What do we make of the rich young man? His original question was how to get eternal life, which Jesus responded to keep the commandments, which he said he did. So he’s got eternal life, right? I would even say he is a righteous man and loves the Lord. Why? Because Jesus says:
Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me.
John 14:21
I’m reminded of Jesus asking Peter about love:
Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these?”
John 21:15
It comes down to love. How much do we love the Lord? Are you willing to give up what you hold dear to pursue the Lord? Do you keep the commandments? Do you still want more with the Lord?