March 24th, 2025
By: Gabi Pope
In Mark 10:17-27, we see one of the toughest challenges for a human being, it’s the story about Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler.
The young ruler comes to Jesus with a big question:
"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)
He seems genuinely interested. He has lived a life of keeping the commandments, even from his youth. From the outside, he appears to be the ideal follower of God. But Jesus, knowing his heart, gave him a command that shakes him to the core:
"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." (Mark 10:21)
The young rulers response was heartbreaking. He walks away from Jesus in sorrow, because he had great wealth. He was willing to obey commandments, but he wasn’t willing to give up what he loved most, his wealth.
Here is my question for you, friend, what are you holding on to? Jesus’ command was not just about money; it was about Surrender. The young ruler’s wealth had become an idol, something he valued more than God Himself. He wanted eternal life, but he wanted it on his terms. He wanted eternal life without sacrifice, without full commitment.
Jesus doesn’t ask everyone to sell all they have, but He does call each of us to complete surrender. Whatever stands between us and fully following Christ must be laid down. Whether it’s wealth, comfort, relationships or titles, if we cling to anything more than Jesus, we are not truly His disciples. Following Jesus costs everything, it’s Him over everything else.
After the young ruler leaves, Jesus turns to His disciples and says:
"How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)
His disciples were astonished. In their culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing, but Jesus is teaching that dependence on riches or anything apart from God makes it impossible to enter His kingdom.
True faith requires a willingness to surrender everything, trusting that Jesus is worth far more than anything we could ever give up.
Each of us must ask ourselves: What is the one thing I am unwilling to give up for Christ? Is it being comfortable in the now? Success? A relationship? Is it our finances?
Jesus is not just our Savior, He is our Lord. To follow Him, we must be willing to lay down whatever is in our way of our walk with Him. Like the rich young ruler, we must make a decision— Do we truly want Jesus, or do we want to hold onto the things of this world?
In Mark 10:17-27, we see one of the toughest challenges for a human being, it’s the story about Jesus’ conversation with the rich young ruler.
The young ruler comes to Jesus with a big question:
"Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)
He seems genuinely interested. He has lived a life of keeping the commandments, even from his youth. From the outside, he appears to be the ideal follower of God. But Jesus, knowing his heart, gave him a command that shakes him to the core:
"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." (Mark 10:21)
The young rulers response was heartbreaking. He walks away from Jesus in sorrow, because he had great wealth. He was willing to obey commandments, but he wasn’t willing to give up what he loved most, his wealth.
Here is my question for you, friend, what are you holding on to? Jesus’ command was not just about money; it was about Surrender. The young ruler’s wealth had become an idol, something he valued more than God Himself. He wanted eternal life, but he wanted it on his terms. He wanted eternal life without sacrifice, without full commitment.
Jesus doesn’t ask everyone to sell all they have, but He does call each of us to complete surrender. Whatever stands between us and fully following Christ must be laid down. Whether it’s wealth, comfort, relationships or titles, if we cling to anything more than Jesus, we are not truly His disciples. Following Jesus costs everything, it’s Him over everything else.
After the young ruler leaves, Jesus turns to His disciples and says:
"How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!" (Mark 10:23)
His disciples were astonished. In their culture, wealth was often seen as a sign of God’s blessing, but Jesus is teaching that dependence on riches or anything apart from God makes it impossible to enter His kingdom.
True faith requires a willingness to surrender everything, trusting that Jesus is worth far more than anything we could ever give up.
Each of us must ask ourselves: What is the one thing I am unwilling to give up for Christ? Is it being comfortable in the now? Success? A relationship? Is it our finances?
Jesus is not just our Savior, He is our Lord. To follow Him, we must be willing to lay down whatever is in our way of our walk with Him. Like the rich young ruler, we must make a decision— Do we truly want Jesus, or do we want to hold onto the things of this world?
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