.jpg)
A lesson from the rich young ruler.
I know. It’s a familiar story. Maybe you’ve heard it more times than you can count. But this morning as I was reading through Mark 10, I was able to zoom out from the specifics and see some new insights. I thought about how it is a conversation we must all have with the Savior.
17 And as he (Jesus) 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?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 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.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 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.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Mark 10:17-22
Let me point out some things here about the rich young ruler:
-
- We see a religious man. – He said he had kept the ten commandments since his youth. Quite an impressive claim and frankly impossible. But that’s a topic for another blog.
- We see a wealthy man, a man inclined to comfort.
- We see a self-seeking man. Even his religious behavior was, in the end, for personal gain. What must I do to inherit eternal life?
Perhaps the rich young ruler had obtained all he could (wealth, status, comfort) and simply wasn’t satisfied. John Piper says, The problem is our hearts are black holes of discontentment, devouring relationships and possessions, all while screaming, “I need more.” We’re always eating, but famished. Always drinking, but never satisfied.
When the rich young ruler encounters Jesus I was struck with two things:
-
- The man’s self-centeredness (probably because I identify with it)
- Jesus’s genuine love for him in spite of his clearly misdirected motives
Jesus could’ve been offended.
He could’ve felt used.
This young man didn’t want to know Him.
He wanted only what Jesus could give him.
I would honestly have had a hard time with that. But if Jesus decided He was done with him, wouldn’t he have to do the same with all of us? For all have sinned and our hearts are desperately wicked. (Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9)
That’s what makes Jesus response so much more amazing to me. Verse 21 says, And Jesus, looking at him, loved him.
Upon studying the original text I came across this explanation for what type of love Jesus is expressing here:
The word “loved” in the present context refers to something more than embrace, attraction, or affection. It refers to genuine love based on need and not merit or response. *1
(It was genuine love) for He pierced through to his inmost being and nature. *2
I think about my kids. They don’t always act like they love me. But my love for them doesn’t hinge on them or their behavior. I know them and I love them. It’s a deep abiding love. But, I can’t even imagine the perfect love of Jesus.
So here in this conversation, we see a self-seeking, wealthy, religious man engaging the Savior of the world. It seems he wants to plan for his retirement from this life. He wants a secure future. He’s been thinking and he doesn’t want to be left without.
But, Jesus, knowing him and loving him deeply, responds.
You lack one thing: go, sell all you have and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.
You know what He said to him in essence?
You want eternal life? Let go of what you love the most.
The rich younger ruler came to Jesus with a question but the answer to his question would come through a question turned back at him. Are you willing to give up what you love the most and come follow me?
John Piper says, The critical question for our generation—and for every generation—is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there?
Perhaps this question brings deep conviction. Maybe you’d rather not think about it at all. But it doesn’t have to be that way. What are you holding on to? What do you love more than Jesus? Don’t forget, this Jesus is the one who offers you genuine love. He is the Savior, the Sacrifice, the Redeemer, Eternal Life Himself.
The rich young ruler walked away.
John 17:3 says, And this is eternal life, that they know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent.
His invitation is available to you right now.
As a believer and follower of Jesus, I am gripped with the thought that the conversation the rich younger found himself in on that day with Jesus, was the most important conversation he would ever have. And his response would be the most important thing he would ever do.
I wonder if the rich young ruler went back to his religious behavior, back to his pursuits? People do it. I wonder if he was able to convince himself that he’d find another way. (John 14:6 I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, except through me.)
Friend, are you willing to let go of what you love the most and follow Jesus?
We live in a world full of counterfeit faith…People who have, in their hearts, walked away from Jesus, but continue the religious show. You don’t have to live that way. Surrender your heart and all that you love to Jesus. Follow Him. Make Him your Lord. He alone will satisfy, both now and always. Want to know the way to eternal life? Let go of what you love and follow Jesus.
1 Brooks, J. A. (1991). Mark (Vol. 23, p. 163). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
2 Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., & Shedd, W. G. T. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Mark (p. 101). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.
