What On Earth Was Jesus Thinking!?

“ And a certain ruler asked Him, saying, “Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”

And Jesus said unto him, “Why callest thou Me good? None is good save One, that is, God.

Thou knowest the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery.’ ‘Do not kill.’ ‘Do not steal.’ ‘Do not bear false witness.’ ‘Honor thy father and thy mother.’”

And he said, “All these have I kept from my youth up.”

Now when Jesus heard these things, He said unto him, “Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thou hast and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.”

And when he heard this he was very sorrowful, for he was very rich.

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, He said, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the Kingdom of God!

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”

And those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?” – Luke 18: 18-26

What On Earth Was Jesus Thinking!?

Is there anything that’s ‘Holy’?
Why this talk of ‘ought’ and ‘should’?
Should we think there’s really ‘evil’?
Should we think there’s truly ‘Good’?

What’s the Reason we imagine
That there’s Righteousness, my friend?
Who invented such a concept
That we’re dying to defend?

Why ‘disorder’ and ‘confusion’
If no ‘order’s truly True?
If there’s no true Truth for trusting,
Why this ‘Ought’ we ought to do?

Why this conscience that keeps nagging?
Why this longing for more light?
Why this Beauty that attracts us?
Why does dawn break through the night?

Why did Jesus judge the young man
Who came knocking at his door?
Why on earth did He reject him?
(Ought this shake us to the core?)

Should we think we’re any ‘better’?
Do we have, sir, fewer flaws?
Could we meet The Holy Standard
That’s commanded in The Law?

Why was Jesus so judgmental?
Why so brutal face-to-face?
What on earth was Jesus thinking!?
What about Amazing Grace!?

Did you see that rich young ruler
In that morning mirror, sir?
Were you filled with Godly sorrow?
Did the Truth begin to stir¹?

Did you find upon reflection
That you didn’t make the grade?
Did you see the naked truth there²…?
Did your “good works” start to fade³?

2 Corinthians 7:10

“Now before faith came, we were kept in custody under the Law, [perpetually] imprisoned [in preparation] for the faith that was destined to be revealed, with the result that the Law has become our tutor and our disciplinarian to guide us to Christ, so that we may be justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] by faith. But now that faith has come, we are no longer under [the control and authority of] a tutor and disciplinarian.” -Galatians 3: 23-25 [AMP]

“ You have been severed from Christ, if you seek to be [a]justified [that is, declared free of the guilt of sin and its penalty, and placed in right standing with God] through the Law; you have fallen from grace [for you have lost your grasp on God’s unmerited favor and blessing]. For we [not relying on the Law but] through the [strength and power of the Holy] Spirit, by faith, are waiting [confidently] for the hope of righteousness [the completion of our salvation].” - (Galatians 5:4-5, AMP)

"But now....." (See Romans 3: 21-26)

¹ John 3:18

² "Those who do not meet him [God] clothed in his gift of Salvation and Grace must meet him naked without a wedding garment. For all must meet him, since he is Truth, and Truth is universal and unavoidable. Mercy is Truth clothed; judgment is Truth naked."
—Peter Kreeft

³ Romans 3: 19-20