One Thing Lacking — Part One

“And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.” When Jesus heard this, He said to him, “One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich. Jesus, seeing that he had become sad, said, “How difficult it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!”                                                                                                                       Luke 18:21-24 (ESV)

I am not too sure when I meet this soft-spoken man of rhyme but when I did I got this comfortable feeling that I use to get from my grandfather on my mother’s side of the family. At first I didn’t know his name or his position in life but he and his wife approached me at times and thanked me for being a Freedom Fighter contributor. As time went along Laurel would get me aside (she still does) and remind me how important it was for me to be just as Biblical as creative. Pastor Van always kept his comments short, sweet and to the heart of the matter.

Pastor Van has recently gone home but not without him giving me a copy of his poetry book. As I have gone through it again I found a poem that talks about the rich young ruler and as I have done with past Freedom Fighters I would like to parallel some of what he has written and give my own take on it. The whole of the text is Luke 18:18-30 so I encourage reading that first before you continue on with this. Pastor Van was a fellow Freedom Fighter writer and friend. Now he is with the Blessed Savior.

P.V. “If you were a local leader, so young and very rich,

Not some lowly beggar lying in a ditch,

And the great master teacher were to come where you stood,

What would you do to impress Him?

Would you call Him good?”

It might have been a blessed sight to see but few of the rulers at that time period had any regard for Jesus. But this young authority figure, possibly a civil magistrate had a genuine concern for his soul and where it was going. He gets the attention of The Savior by calling out to Him by saying “Good Teacher.” Flattery may get you somewhere with some people but not with Jesus. He sees right through it and reminds us all it is God alone who is good.

P.V. “Now he asked the Master how he might heaven attain

Since he had from his youth obeyed?

What did yet remain?

“Give what you have to the poor only first you must sell it!”

What a problem that created, who could ever tell it?

Yeah, we think we are doing really good until it comes to the giving up of stuff. There’s an irony that Jesus brings out in this discourse that our young friend isn’t saying it but it’s implied and that is “What am I lacking Good Teacher?” If there was a true affection for Christ he could have simply just sold his stuff and gave the proceeds to the poor. But I don’t think that is what our young friend had in mind. After all he was able to stop Jesus during His travel and ask a simple question… “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

I am going to stop here for today. My next Freedom Fighter I will share with you how it was Pastor Van shared his writings with me. Ya know there are just some brothers who touch your heart in such a way that you never forget who they are no matter what happens to you along the path. Pastor Van will be one of those brothers to me. And so will you be remembered Sister Laurel… Chris Hughes is a graduate of the Colony of Mercy and a weekly Freedom Fighter blogger

Daily Bible Reading: Ecclesiastes 4-6; Revelation 11

Quote of the day: “Turn from your sin and seek His face, let Him have your heart. He will claim you for His own and never ever part.”—Pastor George H. Van Sandt

Bible Memory: “I know, O Lord, that your rules are righteous, and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me. Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.” Psalm 119:75-76 ESV