Leaving All Behind To Follow Jesus: Matthew 19:16-30 (Sermon)
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Leaving Everything To Follow
Matthew 19:16-30
WEIGHT
Thank you, worship team. Would someone volunteer to help me, please? Come on up here for a second. Pick this up. How easy is that to move? That is fifty pounds. Now, what about this? It is lighter. Thank you. You can have a seat. Last week, I returned from traveling after thirty-four hours with luggage from India. Many of us carried two fifty-pound bags plus a carry-on. We brought food and medical supplies for our medical mission trip. If you travel a lot, you should pack as light as possible. Imagine carrying even one of these bags with you wherever you went: the grocery store, work, school, or sports practice. What a pain and burden that would be. In our spiritual walk with God, we can have baggage like this fifty-pound luggage that hinders us from freely following Jesus. It can be material things, agendas, relationships, habits, or sins. God invites us to throw them off. This morning, we will read a story where Jesus invited a young man to do just that. He had a lot going for him: youth, wealth, and a squeaky-clean track record. He thought he was doing well, but he wasn’t. Let’s dive in and see what happens.
TEXT
I will ask A. and C. D. / T.B. to come forward and read for us. This morning, we continue our series in Matthew, chapter 19, verses 16 through 30. Would you please stand with me in honor of God’s Word?
And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” He said to him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “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.” The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” Jesus said to him, “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.” When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:16–30, ESV)
PRAYER
Thank you. Let’s pray.
Heavenly Father, we need you. You are our only hope. You are the rock on which we stand. Please guide us and direct us this morning. In Jesus’s name, we pray, amen. Thank you. You may be seated.
CONTEXT
Matthew wants us to Follow the Promised King into his Kingdom. Jesus was and is that promised king. He has taught Pharisees, the crowds, and the disciples. In our passage, he teaches a rich young ruler. Jesus was headed to Jerusalem to die. The disciples were tagging along. When the young man leaves, the disciples pick up where he left off, asking follow-up questions. The structure of this Scripture centers around one question, “What good deed must I do to have eternal life?” This question leads to others and points us to what God ultimately wants: The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God. Let me say that again: The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God.
FIRST QUESTION
If you have your Bible, turn to verse 16 of Matthew 19.
“And behold, a man came up to him, saying, ‘Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?’” (Matthew 19:16, ESV).
Wouldn’t you want someone to ask you this? It is like the perfect evangelistic opportunity. How did Jesus respond? “Great question. I will do the one good deed to secure eternal life for you and all who believe. You don’t have to do a thing. You really can’t. Just believe. Today is your lucky day.” But that was not what Jesus said. He gave an answer that may shock our Evangelical sensibilities. He critiqued the question and offered a different way to heaven.
JESUS’S ANSWER: GOOD IS RELATIVE
Look at verse 17.
“And he said to him, ‘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, ESV).
Jesus’s response had two parts. First, a critique. Good is relative. It is a comparison of at least two things. But Jesus told him that God is the ultimate good.
SECOND PART: KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS
What about the second part of Jesus’s answer? How do you inherit eternal life? Jesus responded, “You can inherit eternal life by keeping the commandments.” That sounds heretical. Yet, Jesus embodies the truth. He was right.
SECOND QUESTION
The young man asked a follow-up question:
He said to him, “Which ones?” (Matthew 19:18, ESV).
Which commands must he keep to get into heaven? Religious teachers in his day numbered all the commands of the Old Testament and totaled them to over 600. So which ones must he keep?
ANSWER - LOVING OTHERS
Jesus answered with the second half of the Ten Commandments and Leviticus 19:18.
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 19:19, ESV)
HOW DO YOU GET TO HEAVEN
That list of commands may have been a relief. I might have thought I was doing well if I had heard it for the first time.
I haven’t murdered, check. ✔️
I haven’t committed adultery, check. ✔️
I haven’t stolen anything. (At least not since I was six.) Check. ✔️
I haven’t borne false witness because I haven’t lied in a courtroom. ✔️
I have honored my father and mother. It is not like I have disgraced them. At least, I hope not. I think they would have told me. Mom, if you are watching, let me know privately. ✔️
And finally, I love other people like myself. ✔️
People assess themselves as good, better than most, and good enough to get to heaven. They subjectively tally their good deeds against their bad and often see themselves as more good than bad. That type of evaluation is common but neglects the thrust of Jesus’s previous message in the Sermon on the Mount.
If you are angry with your brother, you are guilty of murder,
If you lust after your sister, you are guilty of adultery,
To avoid lying, never promise, only say yes or no.
Although this young man likely didn’t hear the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus’s list didn’t comfort him. He seemed to have a nagging suspicion that he was missing something, so he asked Jesus one final question.
THIRD QUESTION
Turn to verse 20.
“The young man said to him, ‘All these I have kept. What do I still lack?’” (Matthew 19:20, ESV).
He had to ask if there was something more. He was aware of a deficiency. Was he feeling guilty? Did he not have the assurance of his salvation? We don’t know, but we do know he posed this question.
JESUS’S 3rd ANSWER
Jesus replied in verse 21.
Jesus said to him, “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, ESV)
Jesus gave him one more answer. If you want to be perfect, sell everything you have and give the proceeds to people experiencing poverty. Jesus offered this step to elucidate what this man lacked. This was an invitation made explicitly for this particular wealthy youth. We know that because Jesus didn’t say this to other affluent people or other people seeking entrance into heaven. For example, Nicodemus asked a similar question, and Jesus told him that he had to be born again to get eternal life. That second birth came through the Spirit by faith, not divestment of worldly possessions and generosity to those less fortunate. Why, then, did Jesus say this to this young man? He saw what he lacked. He knew that the love he had for others had a limit. He loved his wealth and whatever that afforded him more than his neighbor. Thus, he was not as squeaky clean as he thought. He had not kept the law since his birth, and he didn’t live up to Leviticus 19:18. And if he didn’t love his brother, he was not fully loving God. We show our love by our actions. So Jesus invited this man to see who he was and let go of what held him back. The path to heaven was one of leaving behind everything.
FOLLOW
The second part of Jesus’s response was that this man must follow him. It was not enough to sell all and give to the poor. He had to drop what he was doing and follow. Jesus was inviting him to join the twelve.
CONCLUSION
How did he take this invitation? Jump to verse 22.
“When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Matthew 19:22, ESV).
The man did not take Jesus up on this proposition. He gave up. He walked away. Why?
PAUL
Paul did the opposite.
He was a male in a world where women were property.
He was a Roman citizen by birth, which was one of the highest standing, where ten to twenty percent of the world were slaves and most everyone else was second class.
He studied under a prominent teacher named Gamaliel, which was like going to an IVY college.
He was of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews. He had the correct ancestry.
He was a Pharisee. He had a moral pedigree.
He was a person of privilege. So, how did he consider all these identity markers? He wrote about them in his letter to the Philippian church:
But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him. (Philippians 3:7–9, ESV)
He considered them dung and worthless in comparison to Jesus.
JESUS’S TEACHING
But this rich young man was not Paul. He went home, and Jesus went on. Go to verse 23.
And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (Matthew 19:23, ESV)
GATE
A side note: the “eye of a needle” is not an actual gate. Over the years, I have heard it was. The first mention of a literal gate comes from the 11th century. Therefore, Jesus was using a figure of speech. https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/new-testament-studies/article/origin-of-the-needles-eye-gate-myth-theophylact-or-anselm/51F6B1FD504C36C42D6201F6D87F83C3
POINT
What was he getting at? It is hard for a rich person to get into heaven. Why? Why would that be?
The rich tend not to have blatant needs.
They are good.
They are content.
They have what they want.
They have options.
They have insurance, security, and comfort.
Life is nice.
Meanwhile, people experiencing poverty are like the children Jesus talked about earlier. They know their needs, are dependent, and are humble. They are hungry, thirsty, and needy.
PERFECT
But the disciples, hearing Jesus’s teaching and seeing the young man leave, respond in shock.
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, ‘Who then can be saved?’” (Matthew 19:25, ESV).
Why do they say that? Were they rich? Matthew, the tax collector, possibly was, but not the fisherman. Being rich was commonly understood as being blessed. If the blessed could not get into heaven, how could those who were not as blessed?
JESUS’S RESPONSE
Look at what Jesus said next.
“But Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’” (Matthew 19:26, ESV).
The way to heaven is through the one perfect man, Jesus. Who lived a perfect life and died a sinner’s death. He rose victorious, conquering sin and death. Through faith in God’s mercy and forgiveness, we can be saved from our sins and live forever with him in heaven.
IDOL FACTORY
What stops people from following Jesus?
What hinders you from following Jesus?
What might God be calling you to give up in 2024?
I am not simply talking about money; it could be a relationship, a habit, a leisure activity, a goal, or a sin. What hindered you from following Jesus in 2023? Maybe you would like Jesus to remove that from you. He can carry it. Think about that fifty-pound bag. What have you been carrying around? What does he want you to let go of? The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything.
WEIGHT
Hebrews 12:1 and 2 states:
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith. (Hebrews 12:1–2, ESV)
I want to hand out a small piece of paper that will dissolve in water. Let me show you. God can take your burden and clean your life up. Can the ushers pass out these slips of paper right now, please? And let’s take a moment and quietly think about what God might be asking us to give up in 2024. Just write one word on that slip of paper. It could be a burden or a pattern you want to break. We will have the worship team play, and we can put that word in the water at the end of the sermon. You may not have anything, or you may have more than one thing. Perhaps the word signifies a host of things you want to hand to God in 2024 to carry for you.
FOLLOW
Some of you may have already given up what God wants you to; the invitation is for you to follow. Consider one way you can follow Jesus in 2024. What is one spiritual practice, habit, or exercise you want to grow in, learn about, or try this year? Take a moment to write that down on your phone or a piece of paper. Keep it in your Bible, or put it somewhere to consider during the year. I want to work on journaling and reviewing my journals. Remember, The path to heaven is one of leaving behind everything and following Jesus, but that is only possible with God.
QUESTION FIVE
This is our last question in this section. Look at verse 27.
Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first. (Matthew 19:27–30, ESV)
Peter understood. He left his business and family to follow Jesus. He and the others would give up their lives to follow Jesus. Peter wanted to know what would be his reward would be. He would be saved and inherit eternal life. But, “What then will we have?” I could see Jesus being encouraging but a bit corrective with him. He might have been looking for some special recognition. Jesus told him that his reward would be a hundredfold. Everyone would get a hundredfold and eternal life. We will see this kind of extravagant grace in the next chapter. This hundredfold is an incredible ROI and return on investment. Who was wiser, the rich man or the disciple? Consider even the best portfolio gains this year, up 20%, maybe. That would be great. But Jesus is offering more than a 100% increase. Add another zero; that is a hundredfold. You would be a fool to walk away from Jesus.
APPLICATION
Can the worship team come up here?
What would it look like for you to follow Jesus in 2024? Is there a spiritual practice you want to develop or try out? Think about journaling, prayer, Bible study, solitude, silence, or fasting.
Some of you are following Jesus. You have left everything. You are looking for encouragement and comfort. Take Jesus’s words about a hundredfold to heart. God sees, knows, and loves you. He will reward you. Stand firm in your faith. Persevere.
Some of you have questions and guilt. Know that God is a God of love. He offered his life for yours. Lean into Jesus’s death and resurrection on your behalf. Rest in his work, not your own. Come to him. Let go of your burdens. What is impossible with you and I is possible with God. Come forward after the service so our prayer team can pray for you. You are not alone.
As we conclude, what weight are you carrying that you don’t have to carry? What is one thing God might be asking you to give up? It could be a video game, a possession, a toxic relationship, or a pet sin. Write it down on that slip of paper if you haven’t already. The worship team is here. They will play a song. Bring that slip to the front as they play and place it in the water. I will stir the water, and the slips of paper will dissolve. This symbolic paper is a release of the burden you have been carrying. Give it to God by the power of the Spirit. If you don’t have a burden like that, pray for those who do. Perhaps God will bring something to mind this week. After people stop coming up here with their burdens, I will close us in prayer.
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