Today's text begins with the story of the man who ran to Jesus in order to ask him what he must do to inherit eternal life. This request for something to do follows immediately upon Jesus' word that the kingdom of God welcomes children. In other words, we have just heard from the lips of Jesus that the kingdom of God is to be received as a gift, received as children receive. Then comes a man who wishes to achieve the kingdom as a reward. The fundamental meaning of the gospel is at stake in these two postures. The gospel of the kingdom comes as a gift we receive! That's the point.