A Conversation With the Rich Young Ruler

I was sitting in a local coffee shop here in town where I often go. The owner is a good friend and brother in the Lord.

This day began no different than most others. I walked into the shop and headed to the table I’ve claimed in the back of the room near the back door.  This has always been my tendency…to sit by exits or in the back of the room…I have no doubt there is a mental health diagnosis for my symptoms…but I’m cool with that.  I realize I’m not the most social guy…a trait I must say seems very familiar to my father. If you ask me about this trait, you may likely hear a vein of pride in my voice that I followed in the old man’s footsteps.

I greeted the regulars as I entered and then heard a loud shout-out from my friend behind the coffee bar. After catching up with my friend, I grabbed my usual Americano-Black and headed for the back. I’m not sure how much time had passed when it occurred to me there was a lot of chatter going on up front. Some of the old regulars were standing and looking out the front sliding glass door toward the street. I could make-out from bits of their conversation that there was some fancy European car out front and all the car experts in the group began debating the make and model of this vehicle.

Curiosity was starting to get to me when the front door opened and a tall silhouette of a man appeared in the front hall. The older guys scurried for their chairs in an attempt to look uninterested so I had a suspicion this character standing in the doorway might be the owner of the mystery machine out front.  As he came into the light of the main room, he looked like a man of influence and wealth…whatever that looks like…. Perhaps if a person thought of all the characteristics that describe me, then pictured the exact opposite, you’d be looking at this cat.

As I watched him move toward the coffee bar I began to feel something vaguely familiar… “I recognize this guy from somewhere“, I thought to myself.  My friend greeted this familiar stranger and ask for the stranger’s order. The man gave an order and my friend got busy making the drink.  Some small talk ensued as my friend put the finishing touches on the drink and I overheard the man identify himself as the Rich Young Ruler from the bible.  I knew it! I knew I’d seen this guy before! I then wondered why he was in my little town 5 miles off the interstate.

As my friend gave the drink to this famous customer, I saw the man pull some plastic out of his wallet.  Now, anyone who knows anything around these parts knows my friend doesn’t take credit cards… and I saw an opportunity within this awkward moment.  I casually sprinted for the counter knocking over a chair or two on the way.  In as calm a voice as I could manufacture in this moment, I asked the stranger if he might allow me to pay for his drink.  Not having any money myself, I knew I could put the drink on my tab and pay another day… The man hesitated only briefly before accepting the offer. It seems the act of carrying cash is an out-dated custom to the wealthy and powerful nowadays.

I introduced myself to this man and asked if he would be so kind as to visit with me a few moments.  I explained that his famous story in the bible was one which has consistently troubled me and I wondered if he would share the experience.  The Young Ruler appeared very interested in conversing so we headed to the back table.

I began by asking if he would share what it was like sitting in the crowd that day listening to the words of Jesus. The Ruler’s eyes lit up as he began. He described an atmosphere of absolute energy in the town that day. There had been talk of this man Jesus being in the area and people wondered aloud if that day would be the day he came through.  Mr. Young Ruler talked about the stories circulating from those who had either witnessed or heard about this man Jesus, and it was hard to believe where truth ended and rumors began.

When Jesus arrived, Mr. Ruler said that it was the eyes that grabbed him immediately.  There was such a gentleness within those eyes…and yet, they were piercing.  He talked of the authority in Jesus’ voice…and then, the crazy miracles!  Mr. Ruler described the events like they had just happened the day before…his eyes were popping out and his voice was elevating with excitement.  He talked about how there had never been anything like this before…or after.

I was absolutely enjoying this conversation, feeling like a bible story I had read over and over was now taking on new life.  As he went on and on, I began to feel an uncomfortable question growing in the back of my mind.  The conversation continued on for a bit longer and it appeared we were rapping up.  Part of me just wanted to let it end and feel great about my experience…but I knew I would have to ask this second question.

There was a pause and I hesitantly jumped.  I asked Mr. Ruler for permission to ask an uncomfortable question.  It did not seem to phase him and permission was granted.  So I explained to him that his reminiscing appeared to seem like an incredibly positive experience.  He quickly agreed.  So I mustard the confidence to say, “with all you heard, and all you saw with your own eyes…why didn’t you follow Him?”  Mr. Ruler smiled graciously, appearing to appreciate my courage in asking this question.  He went on to explain that in our culture today, we have a term called Monday Morning Quarterback.  It’s in this place that we look back and question all the bad decisions made in the football games over the weekend and boast of how we would have done things differently. He then asked in a gentle voice, “you have a job right…and a home with a mortgage?”  I responded that I did.  Mr. Ruler went on… “What if Jesus walked through that door right now and asked you to walk away from the life you have built for yourself…would you do it?”  I suddenly broke eye contact because this conversation suddenly became uncomfortable.  I quickly responded with a shaky confidence that I have a ministry in my job, and my wife and I lead a marriage group in our home.  Again, in a very gentle voice, he asked me, “how much of what you are doing is building your own kingdom…and how much of what you are doing is being about the Father’s Kingdom?”

Before I could respond he interrupted me, “I’m not the one you need to share that answer with…”  I instantly knew he was encouraging me to continue this conversation in prayer with Jesus. Damn! Why didn’t I just mind my own business and let this guy figure out on his own how he was going to pay for his little fluffy-coffee drink… Mr. Ruler continued to press me… He reminded me that in the course of our back and forth conversation, I had mentioned recently traveling to Moldova on a mission trip.   Oh boy…I know where this is heading…  He then brought up how I had mentioned considering getting involved in a mission trip closer to home… He then smiled and asked me, “what if you’re not supposed to just take a mission trip…what if the Lord really wants you to quit your job, sell your possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him?”

It was about now that I found myself full of conviction as things began to race through my mind.  I love the Lord…I want to live a life of purpose…but I want to define what that purpose is and maintain control over where things go… It then dawned on me that I needed to come up with an exit-strategy here…this conversation had to be terminated.

Okay, so no more story here… Parts of this story are real…if you’re ever in Johnstown, Colorado I recommend you stopping at a place at the north end of town called “Johnstown, Java, & Jams” or as the locals call it… “3J’s”.  The owner is in fact a friend of mine.  We joke about how he makes every cup of coffee like it’s his child…I swear he tears up as each drink leaves his shop.

But more importantly, the story of the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19) is a story which challenges me and causes me to question just how far I’m willing to go in pursuit of my faith.  I don’t have an answer to that…  What I will do is follow-up on this conversation in another post.