“And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.'” And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”
Mark 10:17-22 ESV
The story opens with a young man seeking Jesus and kneeling at his feet. From all outside appearances this young man was a follower of the law and committed to serving God. I don’t know what he was expecting Jesus to say when he asked the question, but he asked “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus went on to list the commandments. I can imagine the pride and puffed chest of the young man as he said, “well I have done all these things since my youth.” Jesus looking deeper than the human eyes can see with love and compassion asked one more thing. “Go and sell all you have and give it to the poor…” Mark doesn’t record any more dialogue between Jesus and the young man, but it says the young man walked away disheartened for he had great possessions.
It’s funny what we humans think are “great possessions.” The great things we can obtain; fame, riches and prestige can all fade away in an instant. All our mortal hands can grasp are nothing compared to the riches he has prepared for us. Yet often it is one thing that separates us from reaching those promises.
What “one thing” could be holding you back? Is it riches or greed? Is it bitterness or unforgiveness? Whatever that one thing is your Heavenly Father is looking down with those same eyes of love and saying lay it down and follow me.
That Could Preach 