Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mark 10:21
This was the rich man who chose, at the time, his riches over Christ
We don’t know if he changed his mind at some point
We also don’t know some of the hard work and sacrifices he had made
to gain those riches,
what he had given of his strength and abilities,
what he had acquired
The scripture says: And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. Mark 10:22
The rich man was sad and grieved
For his reasons, he had chosen his earthly possessions over Christ
This is not just about possessions,
this is about anything and everything that we esteem more highly than Christ It could be position,
or power,
anything that comes to mind,
that could be considered a roadblock in your walk with Christ
A couple of scriptures later, Jesus said: “…Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” v. 24b&25
My understanding: The eye of the needle Jesus was referring to
were the Needle Gates in Jerusalem,
which were used when the other Gates were closed
The camel would have to have all of its gear removed
and go through on its knees
It is difficult to give up all to follow Him
That is what He asks
Give whatever it is that is important to you in this world to Him
and let Him give it back if He so chooses:
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25
Until yesterday, I had never seen the clause: “Jesus, beholding him, loved him”
Jesus understood his position
Jesus demonstrated and demonstrates His love
And Jesus comes to our level to reveal His purpose for our lives
It’s important not to focus on this man or anyone else’s life for that matter,
but to see how this lesson and example may apply to each of our lives
We all have things we could or should give up
We cling to our fleshly accomplishments,
we indulge ourselves instead of sacrificing for Christ
Let Him reveal to you your personal failings
Remember, He does not condemn,
but gives us the strength to do things His way, to become more like Him
Jesus did not condemn the rich man. “Jesus beholding him, loved him”
He told him what He required, the man chose his riches
Two things have I required of thee; deny me them not before I die: Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me: Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain. Proverbs 30:7-9