You’re probably familiar with the encounter Jesus had with the man often called the “rich young ruler.” All three of the synoptic gospels record the incident (Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23). Matthew 19:22 tells us the man was young, Luke 18:18 notes that he was a ruler. (It’s not clear what sort of “ruler” Luke means. Most commentators suggest the man was a ruler of the synagogue; these individuals, however, were usually aged men. It’s possible Luke simply implies the young man was of the “ruling class,” that is, from a wealthy and socially prominent family.) All three writers tell us the man was rich.

If you know the story, you know the circumstances: the rich young man approached Jesus with a question: “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” Jesus first reminds him that God alone is good, subtly suggesting that attributing to Jesus a quality of God is to acknowledge His deity. Then the Lord refers the young man to the Mosaic law, the standard of God for His people at that time. The young man, confident that he had obeyed all the law’s commandments, asked, “What do I still lack?”

It was then that Jesus lowered the boom: “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me” (Mark 10:21). All three of the gospel writers next indicate that the young man “went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

Often, we point to this account as an example of the dangers of material substance. Indeed, Jesus used the incident to warn his disciples about the potentially destructive consequences of wealth, in the verses immediately following: “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:24-25).

There’s another lesson here that’s easy for us to miss. Observe that Jesus did not question the sincerity of the young ruler’s inquiry. Christ was often quick to reveal the hypocrisy of those who asked Him questions to justify themselves, or to attempt to trap Him into a violation of the law. Jesus says nothing to suggest that this young man was not earnest in his seeking for the key to eternal life. Nor did the Master dispute the ruler’s claim of obedience to the commandments of the law — when the young man says, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth,” Jesus does not correct him.

What Jesus does note about the young man, however, is shocking: “One thing you lack.” Only one? Remarkable! Who among us could be examined by Him who knows every action and every thought, and be found with only one thing that needed fixing? If you can raise your hand to that, you’re a far better person than I am.

It’s sad, then, to see that this young man had but one major fault — yet refused to correct it! All he needed to do was remove the single obstacle that prevented him from following Christ, but he would not. One stumbling block, one weakness, just one stubborn refusal to change would be sufficient to keep this man forever apart from that which he truly desired — everlasting life. He was so close to his goal, and yet remained so far away. Tragic!

How many people today, do you suppose, are just one obstacle away from the Lord? How many could own the blessings of salvation and the promise of heaven if they would but remove the sole, single roadblock that separates them from His grace and mercy — that one thing, be it self-will or pride or shame or fear or whatever it might be, that keeps them from obeying the gospel command and being added to the saved? Isn’t it heartbreaking to know that someone could be so near to eternal glory — one simple, clearly defined step away — and allow some one thing to deny it to themselves?

And wouldn’t this be the most tragic loss of all: if one of those people still lacking but one thing to enter heaven on the last day...is you?