Such a good question! — Does it not prompt examinations, interrogations, suppositions, speculations, and theories?
What about the answer? — Could there be several outcomes, responses, rationalizations, denials, acceptances, and further questions before determining one’s course of action?
Are both Q & A’s affected by your identity, interpretation, circumstances, experiences, faith, beliefs, or values?
Questions in the scriptures fascinate me, whether asked of or by Jesus, thought-provoking reflection results in teaching moments for me.
Imagine yourself coming upon Jesus and a young man in conversation. Curiosity piqued, you observe and listen. (Matthew 19:16-22)
“Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
=>What words stand out to you?
=>What do you understand by ‘eternal life’?
=>Is there a particular answer you would like to hear?
“Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.”
=>What are the first thoughts that comes to your mind?
=> How do you feel about what you hear?
“Which?”
“Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father, and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
“All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?”
Such a good question!
=>What does the asking of this question tell you about the young man?
=>Would you ask this question? Or would you be content with Jesus’s answer about the commandments?
=>How do you feel about this young man?
“If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.”
=> What are you thinking now? Feeling?
=>What is Jesus telling him? Could there be a more behind these words, a deeper meaning, similar to a personal parable?
=>Is there anything you are not willing to correct, change, or sacrifice?
“But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowing: for he had great possessions.”
=>What common assumption is made about the reason for his sorrowing?
=>Is there anything else that could be the cause of his sorrow?
Let’s think about this for a moment.
He comes to Christ.
He asks, “What good thing shall I do?”
Why? “that I may have eternal life”
He wants to know what commandments to keep.
He says he has been faithfully obedient since his youth.
He asks, “what lack I yet?”
=>You are intently paying attention to all that transpires, what are you thinking?
=>How would you describe this young man, his character?
=>Why might he sorrow?
=>How do you feel?
Is it possible that his possessions are not the source of his sorrowing?
Did Jesus condemn him or tell him his obedience was insufficient for eternal life? No, that is not what I glean. I see a young man acting on the knowledge and faith he possesses. I think these spiritual possessions, treasures, gifts from God, prompt his humble questions. My opinion? He recognizes something missing in his life, or else why would he ask two key questions, especially the last one, What lack I yet?
Could it be that this obedient young man came to Jesus as the good master, seeking further enlightenment and knowledge, or the simple assurance he was living well? The conversation led to an incredible moment between the two men. We know nothing more. Perhaps his sorrow is for others who have less, the poor in need of sustenance and aid from those with means? Perhaps sorrow filled his heart realizing he could have been doing something extra that never occurred to him? Perhaps he felt disappointed in himself? Perhaps the young man goes home, evaluates his life, physical possessions, faith and desires?
We do not know the reason for his sorrow, nor what choice he makes after their exchange.
=>What would you do?
=>What would Jesus tell you? What promptings do you have?
=>Do you evaluate yourself, desires, and possessions (physical and spiritual)? Do you spend time considering what is of most worth or value to you? What do you do with your conclusions?
What does God value? From the beginning of time, he asks for trusting faith shown by works of obedience. Jesus further counsels, “If you love me, keep my commandments.” (John 14:15). “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good;” (Luke 6:45).
19 ¶ Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
Holy Bible, King James Version. Matthew 6
20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Treasures in heaven. The longer I study the words of Christ, observe personal encounters with him (my own also), the deeper I meditate, ponder, question, and feel. The nurturing heart finding expression in words and deeds appear paramount, in my reasoning.
Parables, a contemplative way of teaching receptive hearts set upon the things of God, contain valuable insights. The kingdom of heaven, eternal life, requires adherence to the final answer given, for obedience rewards the proven nucleus of love for God and all life upon this earth. That is the example set forth by the master teacher.
“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls:
Who, when he found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” (Matthew 13:25-26)
If my jewelry box, bookshelves, movie, and music collections represent my life’s summary, what would/do I acquire? How would my possessions tell a story without words? What about the company I keep, the friends I value, the words I speak, and my actions? What do they tell of my heart and mind?
My grandmother’s necklace, a diamond ring and our wedding bands became one simple band, my family ring (6 stones representing Alan, me, and our 8 children), and discriminately collected charms. Each item represents my heart and mind through people, places, talents, and interests I treasure in memories.
Figuratively speaking, my life’s choices represent my crown jewels. Many need great amounts of cutting and polishing to even glimpse the brilliance of those gems. Some are buried deep beneath the ‘earth’ awaiting my efforts in extraction. Knowing where and how to look, and possessing the essential tools requires desire, instruction, correction when necessary, hope, and time. What lack I yet? Such a good question! God has a list for me I am blessed to read in bits and pieces, little by little, step by step. Where do I begin? I do not think it matters, for a beginning is all that’s required to progress on the shortest or longest of journeys. Do I recognize the poor among me? I am getting better at opening my spiritual and temporal eyes. Acknowledging I am both rich and poor when looking through the eyes of God, helps me turn my heart to Him and his values, His children.
Leo Tolstoy tells a story of a criticized priest, not living as resolutely as he should, by a member of his congregation who goes so far as to question the validity of his teachings. There are lessons in this narrative for me.
“Look at my life now and compare it to my former life. You will see that I am trying to live out the truth I proclaim.”
“Attack me, if you wish, I do this myself, but don’t attack. . . the path I follow… If I know the way home but am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?”
“… Do not gleefully shout, ‘Look at him?…There he is crawling into a bog!’ No, do not gloat, but give… your help to anyone trying to walk the road back to God.” (The New Way, Leo Tolstoy: Spiritual Writings, sel. Charles E. Moore. 2006. Pg. 81-82)
With my heartfelt desires He works, and I dig using the proper tools, knowledge, and experience. Where he leads, I follow. Slowly traveling on winding paths or making my own trail, he does not lose sight of me. All I need is to question, he answers. With togetherness, I am finding my treasures in heaven that I trust will adorn my crown and hopefully fit it for eternal life.
8 . . . These things saith the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive;
Holy Bible, King James Version. Revelation 2 -selections for verses 8-10
9 I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty (but thou art rich) . . .
10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: . . . be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
“And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” (1 Peter 5:2)
“… And they shall be one flesh.” 
Always in my heart. 1, 2, 3, 4 ever.
What a glorious promise!!!
What sacrificial offering lies within your power, and willingness, to ‘sell’ in a quest to acquire treasures in heaven and your crown of righteousness, eternal life?
Life Happens . . . so does What Lack I Yet?, …so do Swords and Shields, ..so do Rescues, …so does The Good Shepherd, …so do Faith and Wholeness
