What Jesus Did! 'Just One Thing?' — Matthew 19:16

Monday, September 8, 2025

Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"
— Matthew 19:16 NLT

Key Thought

There's something about our human nature that makes us want to find the best bargain:
"What do I have to do to get that?"
"Come on, you can let me have it for less than that!"
"I can get the same thing for less down the street."

Grace is a gift that is given to us for free! Yet grace requires us to surrender unconditionally to Jesus as Lord. In other words, we get what we cannot earn and do not deserve, but only when we surrender ourselves to Jesus' lordship and acknowledge that we could not gain his grace for ourselves. Unfortunately there are always those who don't quite get it.

"What good deed must I do?" the young man wanted to know. Notice that "good deed" is singular. On our side of the Jesus story, we almost want to yell back, "It's not ONE thing; it's EVERYthing, while at the same time it's NOthing but grace!"

Today's Prayer

Holy God, I have several things in my life that really keep me from fully surrendering my heart to you. Help me as I offer these to you right now, trusting that the Spirit you gave me will empower me to put these things aside and let me enjoy the grace and salvation you have already so richly poured out on me. In Jesus' name, I praise and thank you. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 2:4-10
  • Luke 14:33
  • Matthew 16:24-26

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Illustration

Illustration of Matthew 19:16 NLT — Someone came to Jesus with this question: "Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?"

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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