Ezekiel 24:13-24 / Matthew 19:16-22
If we want something, then it is obvious that we have to look for it or to work for it.
We can't expect that whatever we want would just fall on our laps without any effort on our part.
The rich young man in the gospel knew what he wanted in life and he worked for it and got it.
He possessed great wealth because he worked for it and he got it.
He was a determined man and he was successful because he worked hard for it.
He wanted to possess eternal life and so he asked Jesus what good deed must he do to get it.
What Jesus told him probably surprised him and maybe even shocked him.
In a word, it was "nothing" - to give up everything and have nothing and then follow Him.
And that is the message for us too. There is nothing we can do to possess eternal life.
It is a gift from God and we can receive it only when we empty our hearts of all that is blocking what God wants to give us.
Eternal life is given to those who want nothing else but to follow Jesus faithfully and walk in His ways.