It’s Imperative To Jump

I used to think it would be fun and adventurous to skydive. Now? Not so much. IF the plane was sure to crash and someone happened to slap a chute on my trembling body, I might strongly consider fearfully jumping.

In the account of the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10, Luke 18, and Matthew 19), Jesus is being asked, “How can I make sure I have a parachute when I jump from this life to the next?”

By the young ruler’s own account, he had not murdered, committed adultery, stolen, given false witness, defrauded anyone, nor dishonored his parents.

“What do you think, Jesus? I do all the Jewish stuff like giving my tithe and showing up for the festivals. I’m passing, right?” asked the Rich Young Ruler. “I would sure like your assurance that I have a chute with my name on it!”

Jesus loved this guy according to Mark. I sometimes read this as a first-time encounter with Jesus. But when Mark says Jesus “loved him”, I wonder if their paths crossed on other occasions. I think they knew each other. In any case, it was because of this love Jesus gave him a very direct and honest answer. This loving answer took the wind out of this young man’s lungs and left him disheartened.

Sell ALL that you have. Give to the poor. Your actions will have eternal consequences not only for you but for others in my Kingdom.

When I read this passage, I’m reminded that we are not to overlook the imperatives in scripture. In this passage, Jesus was not just suggesting. The grammar for sell and give is the same grammar we find in the Lord’s Prayer (verb, aorist, active, imperative, second person, singular) where we are told we can be bold and confident in asking the Father to “give us our daily bread” when we need it (daily)! Jesus, in the use of His imperatives, likewise commanded him to sell and give his possessions right now!

The next imperative Jesus adds to His answer is to “Come follow (verb, present, active, imperative, second person, singular) – which carries an expectation of following not just in the present moment of faith (selling and giving) but as an ongoing, moment by moment process of faith lived out as a steward of his life and resources. This isn’t to be a one-time event.

Like the parable seed that fell among the thorns, this young man was being choked out of an impactful and fruitful life. It didn’t happen overnight and a light pruning was not going to change the outcome. The problem was not the amount of money, it was the placement of money in his life. Money occupied the holy ground of his heart. Like many of us, he was in love with the prestige, security, power, and glitter of the world’s misuse of money. It costs a lot to be me!

How do we know if we are misusing money? Reread the passages and place yourself in the story as the Rich Young Ruler. Remember, He knows you. Are you a steward or a master of your things? Are you anxious about losing it all or not having enough? Do you have faith in God to provide for you and yours when you follow? It’s imperative…

Matthew 6:25a; 30-33

“Therefore, I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? O you of little faith. The Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”