There IS Something To Do

Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man asked. And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’” “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?” Jesus told him, “If you want to be perfect, go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. I’ll say it again—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 19.16-24] 

Jesus only mentioned the last six of the Ten Commandments here. Why? Why didn't Jesus mention the first four of the Ten Commandments too? Or, didn't He?

There is no question that the last six Commandments are the manward Commandments. They have everything to do with how man treats man. Why didn't Jesus demand compliance with the first three Commandments that are directly Godward (how man treats God) and the fourth Commandment about the Sabbath (how man treats himself)?

In fact, Jesus DID mention the Fourth Commandment, but He did so in words that require deep consideration of His words elsewhere as the Living Word of God. Let's look at a couple things Jesus said regarding Himself and the Sabbath:

Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. [Matthew 11.28] 

What is the Sabbath about? Rest! 

For the Son of Man is Lord, even over the Sabbath!” [Matthew 12.8 (also Mark 2.28 and Luke 6.5]

If the Lord of the Sabbath gives rest, then He is indeed The Sabbath Incarnate. Upon the Advent of Jesus Christ, the only true and valid observance of the Sabbath is achieved in believing in, and therefore following (coming to), Jesus Christ. The observance of Jesus Christ as the Sabbath (how we treat ourselves) brings rest (faith) although that rest (faith) still involves the yoke of obedience to follow Him and His ways.

Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.” [Matthew 11.29-30]

So, as Jesus taught in Matthew 19, as good as a man may be in observing Commandments Five through Ten, he falls short of the requirement for eternal life if he, in reverse progression, does not observe the Fourth Commandment - obedience to exclusively follow Jesus Christ. In fact, observance of the Fourth Commandment is the only Way that a man can fulfill the first three Godward Commandments (as in Jesus saying, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me." [John 14.6])!

And, in fact, observance of the Fourth Commandment is the only Way to fulfill the last six Commandments (Five through Ten) as well.

Think of it this way, the last six commandments account for the first six days of Creation. Again, in reverse progression, the last six Commandments are followed (or, completed) by the Sabbath because God rested on the seventh day. The only Way to get to God then is the Sabbath Rest in Christ Who, in fulfilling the last six Commandments in us, transports us through faith into compliance with the first three Commandments and therefore into God's presence.

Our "ability" to "be right" toward God and man is accomplished in what we do with ourselves regarding the Sabbath that joins the two of them together. Our observance of the Sabbath is accomplished in only one Way: faith in Jesus Christ:

For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. [John 3.16]

Jesus did not mention the first three Commandments to the wealthy man above who questioned what he must do to have eternal life because their only fulfillment could be achieved in following Jesus, the Sabbath Rest. Following Jesus is an action of faith and fulfills what James wrote:

So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless. [James 2.17]

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. [James 2.26] 

And so, it is not at all peculiar that Jesus said elsewhere:

I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. [John 14.12] 

Selling all he had to follow Jesus would not have been "abstract faith" for the wealthy man. It would have been a literal change of reality in the man's life. It would have been literally treating himself differently in ridding himself of every obstacle between him and Jesus. Jesus NEVER calls us to abstract faith, but instead, to faith that is active and real:

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. [Matthew 16.24 (also, Mark 8.34 & Luke 9.23)]

Jesus never called anyone to abstract faith. Jesus has not called you or me to abstract faith.

Consider how the following statements by Jesus relate to one another (and therefore to us):

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” [John 20.21] 

“Don’t misunderstand why I have come. I did not come to abolish the law of Moses or the writings of the prophets. No, I came to accomplish their purpose. [Matthew 5.17] 

This is REAL. As we are sent by Jesus, we too are sent to accomplish the purpose of ALL the Ten Commandments (the centerpiece of the law of Moses) and the writings of the prophets. Our ability to do so lies entirely on the Fourth Commandment - the Sabbath Rest - Jesus Christ - taking His yoke - forsaking all - bearing our cross - following Him. 

If we can see it, Jesus didn't actually break the Sabbath laws as the religious leaders supposed. Instead, He brought into perfect focus what the Sabbath Commandment was all about: Himself.

Jesus' demand that the wealthy man forsake all and follow Him was, in fact, a demand that the man observe the Sabbath in Christ. That same demand applies to every one of us. There IS something to do.

Father, Your Word does not lie. Your Truth - in Jesus Christ - is evident. May I be found giving up my own way, taking up my cross, and following Jesus as a daily exercise of real (not abstract) faith. And, in so doing, may I too accomplish the purpose of ALL Your Word as seen in the law of Moses, the writings of the prophets, and in Jesus Christ! So be it.