I am a story person -

I often use stories in my sermons.

Since retirement, I have had the opportunity to live out stories as part of the cast at the Cumberland County Community Playhouse.

And I often use stories in my writings.

Jesus was a story person.

He teaches through parables.

His various personal experiences are full of story possibilities.

So to the story of the “Rich Young Ruler” as found in the 18th chapter of Luke.

Scene one finds the young man kneeling at the feet of Jesus asking a question. “What do I need to do to attain eternal life?"

For me, the initial focus is on the young man. It is quite a risk to come to Jesus, and then to kneel at his feet. Some might see it as a public display of humility. At least he must have felt uncomfortable.

At a deeper level, there would seem to be the acknowledgement that something is missing in his journey-perhaps money and power are not enough to offer a satisfaction with life .And the fact that he seeks out Jesus is an indication that what is missing is somehow faith related.

The question in my mind is whether he is simply seeking personal safety, or is he in search of a faith that will make use of his gifts beyond himself.

The focus on Jesus shows an appreciation for this man and the risk he is taking. With his considerable resources, he can have a positive impact of the lives of many around him. How to shape the challenge is his concern in my mind.

The second part of the story for me is the opportunity Jesus offers for this man to discover what it means to become a participant in servant ministry. The take his resources and use them in support of the needy -to use his power to fight for justice and equality -to open himself to consider what God would have him choose and decide.

My hunch is that it is not quite what the man expected. If a challenge is really a challenge, perhaps it must draw us out of our comfort zone and move us into new territory. God has a way of doing that.

Well, we know the rest of the story. He turns away from Jesus sorrowfully. And Jesus is left to hope that at some future time, the young man may reconsider and embark of the kind of path Jesus offered him.

For the ruler, that which is preventing him from a satisfying relationship with God and those around him is his use of wealth and power. But we all might search within and discover that we have our own stumbling block - perhaps pessimism or jealousy or a deep-seated fear of living.

We could probably all use a refresher course on compassion given the negative dynamics of today’s culture -and join the rich young ruler kneeling at the feet of Jesus seeking a word of support and direction.