“Small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:14

As Jesus was walking along the road a young man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. This rich young ruler was living a good life, obeying the law to the best of his ability. This was merely his duty, as no one has a right to live a bad life.

He was a Jewish religious leader and was well acquainted with the law. He realized that he was lacking in some way and asked Jesus, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” He had recognized something good and true in Jesus and knew of the things he had been teaching.

Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The law promised life to any Hebrew who would keep it. The young man had always tried to be pleasing to God and so he said, “Teacher . . . All these things I have kept since I was a boy.”

The young man probably felt quite satisfied that he had done all he could, yet something was missing in his life and so he asked “What do I still lack?” He knew he was not perfect, that something was wrong, and he wanted to know how to gain eternal life.

Jesus loved the young man for he showed earnestness and humility in coming to him in a public manner. Jesus told him, “Sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21

The young man’s face fell and he went away sad for he had great wealth and was unable to give up his luxurious way of life. He did not realize that Jesus meant that he should use his riches in the best way he could to help others, not that he would have to sell everything he owned all at once. The rewards of following the

Lord would be far greater and richer than any of his material possessions.

The parable of the camel going through the eye of the needle illustrates perfectly what Jesus was talking about (Matthew 19:23, 24). The “needle’s eye” was a small gate in the walls of ancient cities. After sundown the main gates were closed. A camel could enter the small gate on its knees as long as the load on its back was first removed. We, too, must remove all that is unnecessary in our lives if we would follow the Lord.

The young man went away sad for he had great wealth.