It could be a relationship such as your marriage, or your kids, or a friendship. Maybe Jesus is asking you to surrender your finances or financial security like the young man. It is discovering how to possess something without it possessing you. Sometimes giving something up doesn’t mean losing it, but setting it aside within our heart. Have you ever wondered how the story would have gone if it was you asking Jesus the question instead of the rich young ruler? What would, or is, Jesus asking you to give up to come walk with Him today, after salvation? And to be clear, it is not that poverty is more holy or going without something that is the issue. And the result, he grieved, he was left unsatisfied. He decided that his real treasure, his property, was too valuable to him to give up. So Jesus asked him to give up what he treasured in this world the most, his material possessions, so that he would then be able to give his heart fully to Jesus and follow Him.Īnd what was the young man’s response? “But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property.” (see v.22) He was unwilling to give up what he treasured most and follow Jesus. Instead, Jesus wanted this young man to love Him with all of his heart. Not because he had kept the commands, the behaviour of this man was not the issue. So Jesus asked him about the Law and then instructed him to sell all his belongings because Jesus was leading him to discover what He was really after, which was this young man’s heart.ĭid you notice what Jesus felt towards this man? Jesus loved him. In fact, His response is helping the young man to see something even greater than just possessing eternal life, but how does one experience the fullness of it now. Jesus was not saying that the way to salvation was keeping the Law and selling all of your possessions to give to the poor. Verse 21 then says, “Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him, “One thing you lack: go sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come, follow Me.” Surely he qualifies for this great and wonderful gift called eternal life because he has earned it through his hard work and diligent obedience to the Law. (see Mark 10:17-31) Jesus answers the man’s question by first mentioning the Law and listing some of the 10 commandments which related to how we interact with others, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not lie, etc.” (see v.19) To which the young man replied, “Teacher, I have kept all those things from my youth up.” (see v.20) I imagine that the young man was getting excited at this point as he seemed to meet the requirements. This is the situation that Jesus, the master evangelist, found Himself in one day when a rich young ruler came up to Him. I am sure that they would all agree that the best scenario would be one where the person who is lost asks the question, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” For this question is from someone that is presumably ready to make a decision for Jesus and simply needs to be taught how. Most young men-and older men-think they can have it both ways.There is an abundance of resources available to aid people in the area of evangelism, of how to share your faith in a way that leads others to Christ for salvation. I am impressed with his spiritual understanding. The Word of God has come to him, asked him to hold off on sex and follow Jesus, and he has chosen instead to keep the possibility of sex available and follow his own desires. So, rather than possibly feeling guilty or being a hypocrite, he has renounced his faith-at least until he gets married and sex is legit. He has not had a sexual relationship yet, but he hopes to date soon and he does not want to be encumbered by God’s restrictions. He wants to keep his options open-his sexual options that is. But, if you spoke with him for a little longer, you would discover that he has decided not to follow Jesus. If you spoke with him for five minutes you would be impressed with his spiritual depth and think there is hope for the next generation. He is twenty-ish and a capable apologist with his friends. But the wealthy young man has recently been hijacked by someone new: the young man who is hoping to have sex…soon. Many of us have wondered what we would have done if Jesus asked us the same question. When the wealthy young man could not quite give all his money away and follow Jesus, we are given a hard story (Matt.
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