One Thing You Lack
The story of the rich young ruler is one of those encounters that makes us uncomfortable, because it exposes the deepest cracks in our understanding of salvation.
This man is exactly who we would want in our church today: young, moral, wealthy, influential, eager, and respectful. He kneels before Jesus. He’s not trying to trap Him. He’s not proud on the surface. He’s sincere.
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (v.17)
That question reveals the whole problem. It sounds spiritual, but it’s tragically misguided.
What shall I do?
The Law Can’t Give Life
Jesus doesn’t rebuke the question. Not yet. He meets the man where he is.
He points to the commandments, not as the path to life, but to expose something deeper:
“Thou knowest the commandments… Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal…” (v.19)
The ruler responds: “Master, all these have I observed from my youth.”
Now, let’s be honest. That’s not just confidence, it’s delusion. He really thinks he’s kept the law. He doesn’t see how deep the commandments go, not just to external behavior, but to the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
But then Jesus “looks at him and loves him.” That line undoes me every time.
Jesus doesn’t scold him for his blindness. He loves him. And love always tells the truth.
“One thing thou lackest…”
And with one surgical sentence, Jesus exposes the man’s real god:
“Go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor… and come, take up the cross, and follow me.” (v.21)
Jesus isn’t giving a new law. He’s not saying, “If you give enough money away, you’ll be saved.” He’s revealing that the man hasn’t kept the second table of the law, to love his neighbor. Nor has he kept the first table, to love God.
What Must I Do?
This man wanted a checklist that was filled in perfectly by his spiritual resume. That’s the default setting of the human heart.
Even in our churches, we ask, “What must I do to feel closer to God?” So we look to our devotion, our disciplines, our performance.
And Jesus answers: You lack one thing.
It’s not more religion. It’s not more effort. What you lack is Him.
This man walked away grieved, not because Jesus asked for too much, but because Jesus exposed the depth of his need.
We’re not so different.
All Things Are Possible With God
After the man walks away, Jesus turns to His disciples and says something stunning:
“How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” (v.23)
That’s not just about money. It’s about anything we cling to—wealth, morality, reputation, ministry, influence. Anything we use to feel righteous apart from Christ is a barrier to grace.
The disciples are shocked. “Who then can be saved?” (v.26)
Exactly.
Jesus answers:
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” (v.27)
You can’t save yourself. Not through obedience. Not through sacrifice. Not through law-keeping. Salvation is impossible, for the rich, for the religious, for everyone.
But what is impossible for man is precisely what God has done through Christ.
The law crushes our illusion of goodness, and the gospel raises us with a righteousness not our own.