Key Verse: “Looking at him, Jesus loved him and said to him, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” But he was dismayed by this demand, and he went away grieving, because he had many possessions.” (Mark 10:21-22 CSB)
As Jesus continued on His journey toward Jerusalem, a man approached Him and fell to his knees in front of Him. The man had eternity on his mind. “Good teacher,” he said to Jesus, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v.17). It was an important question to consider. Jesus responded by pointing the man back to the Jewish Law, and specifically the Ten Commandments that has been delivered through Moses. “You know the commandments,” Jesus said to him.
Not only did this man know the commandments, he had been diligent at keeping them. “Teacher,” he responded, “I have kept all these from my youth” (v.20). He honored his father and mother. He didn’t lie, cheat or steal. He hadn’t murdered anyone or committed adultery. This was a man committed to obedience. Like the Apostle Paul, he could say about himself: “regarding the righteousness that is in the law, blameless” (Philippians 3:6).
If Jesus wanted to talk about faithfulness to the commandments, then this young man’s record was spotless. He was good to go. Or was he? Apparently, not so much. Looking back at the man with love for him, Jesus replied, “You lack one thing: Go, sell all you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me” (v.21).
What exactly is Jesus driving at in His response to this man? Is Jesus saying that in order for us to follow Him we must sell all of our possessions and give the money away to the poor? Do we need to sell our house, car and clothes in order to follow Jesus? Not necessarily.
The issue was this man’s heart. Jesus’ response was exposing what truly mattered the most to this man. Notice the response of the man as he heard Jesus’ words. “He was dismayed by the demand.” Disheartened and saddened by what he heard, he turned and walked away from Jesus, “because he had many possessions.”
As impeccable as his obedience was to the commandments, money was this man’s idol. He was enamored with his wealth and possessions. It was what he lived for. So giving away all of his possessions was the only way for him to truly possess what mattered most. But the demands were too high. As one writer put it, “His gold would remain his god.”
Put yourself in this man’s shoes. If Jesus were to say to you, “You lack one thing,” what would it be? What would He point to as an idol of your heart? Following Jesus means that He must be first in our lives above all else. God is not interested in competing for our loyalty. We are to have no other gods besides Him (Exodus 20:3). We are to love the Lord with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. Invite Him to help you do that today.
Prayer: “Teach me your way, Lord, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name” (Psalm 86:11). Show me today what is competing for first place in my heart. Help me to truly put you first, Jesus, above all else. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
