"Good Master, what should I do in order to have eternal life?" This was like the lawyer's question, but this man asked it in a different spirit. He really wanted to know. Jesus answered: "Do you know what you are saying when you call me 'Good Master'? No one is good except God." Jesus was wondering if the rich young man knew that he was talking to the Messiah, or if he thought that Jesus was just a man who was a little better than others. However, he went on: "If you want to have eternal life, keep God's commandments. You know what they are: Do not kill, do not steal, live a pure life, do not tell lies, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself." [Illustration] The young man exclaimed: "But I have kept all those commandments ever since I was a boy! What is it that is wrong with me?" When Jesus saw that the young man was in earnest, he loved him. He replied: "There is indeed something wrong with you. It is the way you love your money. Give it away to the poor, and you will be rewarded in heaven. Give up everything you have, and come and follow me." The young man got slowly to his feet. No! That was asking too much! How could he live without his money? He needed his money. How did he know that God would look after him if he did not take care of himself? Without another word he went away. "How hard it is," Jesus said, "for rich people to obey God!" The disciples were amazed. They had always thought that the reason why some people were rich was that God was pleased with the good lives they had been living. They said, "If there isn't any hope even for rich people, is there any hope for _anybody_?" "No," Jesus replied, "there isn't any hope for anybody. No one is good enough. But God can help and save sinners, whether they are rich or poor. God is everybody's hope." Peter spoke for the rest of the disciples. He said, "Well, we have given up everything to follow you." Jesus answered, "If you have given up anything for my sake you will never have reason to be sorry for it, either in this life or after you die." * * * * * The months were going by, and it was time to be getting on toward Jerusalem. Jesus took his disciples and crossed to the east side of the river Jordan. They traveled south, and then crossed the Jordan once again and came to the city of Jericho. In the rich earth around Jericho beautiful gardens grew, and the palm trees stood tall. Travelers who came from the swamps of the Jordan loved to stop at Jericho before they took the hard and lonely road that led to Jerusalem. There were desert lands and hills ahead, but at Jericho there was water to drink, and good food to eat, and a place to stay in comfort. But Jesus could not stay long in Jericho. It was to Jerusalem that he was going, and nothing could hold him back.