“Our doors are open. Please proceed,” said Thaddeus. “You have earned our respect with your life. Now speak to us… please, we want whatever you have to tell us… Matt?” he added, looking at his son.

“Yes, so do I, Baron von Dortmann,” said Matthew, confirming his father’s request.

“Very well,” replied the baron. “I commend you both for your openness. It is most refreshing! So… here it is, then. There comes a time in every man or woman’s life when to sit back casually observing the principles and truths of the kingdom of God is no longer enough.

“There are occasional passages in the Gospel accounts when Jesus did more than simply lay truth before his hearers. In such passages we find Jesus looking straight into a man’s face and forcing him to confront the meaning of his life and his whole future. They offer the example of what I mean, that such a moment ultimately comes for everyone.”

He paused. The others waited.

“You have, I’m sure, heard of the young man known as the rich young ruler. He came to Jesus and asked what he had to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments. The young man replied that he had kept them all his life. Then Jesus said that there was only one thing he lacked.”

The baron paused, then asked, “Do either of you know what it was?”

They shook their heads.

“You see, here is an instance where the moment of decision had come. In this moment, Jesus looked at the young man, loved him deeply, and then this is what he said to him. ‘One thing you lack. Go and sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, and follow me.’”

Again the baron paused.

“And… what happened?” asked Thaddeus.

“When such moments of decision come, there are always two choices we can make. This young man made the decision not to obey what Jesus said, and not to follow. The passage says, ‘He went away sad, because he was very rich.’”

A long silence followed.