We Have Been Told to "Go!"

There is a story in the New Testament that we Christians have dubbed "The Rich Young Ruler". It's not one of the parables of Jesus, it was an exchange of words that took place between the Messiah and someone that was attempting to make himself feel better about his choices and wealth. Turn to Matthew 19:16-30 to read it. This was evidently so impacting that Mark and Luke recorded the conversation too.

In the book I'm currently reading, the author "unpacks" this passage and I readily admit that what he has to say is not always what my American-church ears want to hear. "Many Christians are more like the rich young ruler than any other New Testament character. Well-resourced, bright, charming, able to engage in religious discussion--talk about poverty, even--but unable to even comprehend what Jesus invites them to do and be."

After this young man had affirmed that he was religious, righteous and pious by having upheld all the commandments that Jesus reminded him to live by, Jesus exposed the man's true heart with this statement: "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)

Ash Barker, author of Make Poverty Personal starts with the same two letter word that Jesus did..."Go!" A week later, I'm still pondering the implications. Because, you see, this isn't just a word of statement or fact...it is a command. Barker writes, "Go is a non-negotiable command."

It's non-negotiable...just like when the Gentile Centurion shows up and says to Jesus, 'My daughter is ill and I want you to heal her. No, you don't need to come to my home to do it, I know that You are a Man of authority...just like I am. If I say to someone "Go!"...he does it. I just need a word from You that she is healed and it will be so.' Jesus appropriately replies, "Go; let it be done for you according to your faith." (Matthew 8:5-13 for the full story)

Jesus also told the disciples to "Go and make disciples of all nations." (Matthew 28:18-20) Jesus even prefaces this with revealing to his followers that "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth."  Barker writes, "There is never any ambiguity in these calls to obedience. The only options are to obey or disobey, with all the consequences that this might have."

So why...about 2000 years later...when three different writers believed that Jesus' command to the rich young ruler was so important that they took care to document it...do we Christians so quickly (and sometimes adamantly) explain away this command? We tell ourselves, 'It was only for that one man', or 'Well, Jesus could see that in his heart the man was bound by his possessions,' or simply, 'Yeah...but Jesus wouldn't ask that of me...I have a family and others that depend on me.' Well, according to Barker, to be called "wealthy" or "rich" in that day indicated he was "responsible for the livelihoods of hundreds of people." Think of an English manor with an earl that has tenants renting land, growing crops and making a living off his land and you have the general idea. Jesus knew He was asking everything of this man...and the rich young ruler did too.

Why would Jesus ask any less of us today just because we have more stuff or tell ourselves we're smarter or more indispensable? Barker continues, "...those who become Jesus's disciples can't do deals beforehand. They must surrender to Jesus first and then let him do through them whatever he wants to do." 

Have you attempted to work out some "deals" with Jesus, either before you surrendered to Him or even after? When He says "Go!" do you drop everything and instantly do it? Do you believe that when He has called you to "Go!" He will lead the way, equipping you for the journey? Do you long for significance, purpose and passion in your daily life? Then ask yourself, 'Where is He telling me to "Go!" and serve the poor?...and do it!