Today’s Bible Verse
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “ONE THING YOU LACK: GO YOUR WAY, SELL WHATEVER YOU HAVE AND GIVE TO THE POOR, AND YOU WILL HAVE TREASURE IN HEAVEN; AND COME, TAKE UP THE CROSS, AND FOLLOW ME.”
Mark 10:21
One Thing You Lack
Here is a powerful, wealthy young man who was full of honor, passion, and a heart to live holy and experience all that following Jesus could bring. To everyone else around him, this young man displayed a sincere devotion to inherit eternal life; and desiring to do so, when he heard Jesus was in town, he came running after Him to find answers. But when Jesus looked upon him, he realized the young man had two significant problems, and because Jesus so loved him, He wasted no time in exposing them both.
First, the young man discovered that keeping the law and obeying religious rules would never fill his empty, wandering, seeking soul; only a genuine relationship with Christ could do that. Secondly, the young man discovered he didn’t just own riches, but that his riches owned him, and they KEPT him from completely surrendering and following Jesus. There is no doubt that this young man was full of potential. He could have leveraged his influence, his talent, his resources, and all of his energy for kingdom purposes, but yet he allowed the ways of the world and the deceitfulness of riches to convince him that it was better to HOLD on to all of these things than to HOLD ON to a loving God (Matt 6:33). And so the Bible captions his life with one unforgettable phrase: “…. He walked away with a heavy heart, for he was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go” (Mark 10:22, MSG).
After this young man’s interaction with Jesus, we don’t hear anything else about the outcome of his life. In fact, outside of the gospels, his story is not recorded anywhere else in the Bible. We are left to surmise that the rich young ruler eventually became the rich old ruler, and that maybe, up until the day that he died, he carried with him the image of this moment, always remembering, never forgetting his hasty and foolish response to Jesus’ invitation: “Come, follow me.”
Consider why this young man who was once so eager now turned away from Jesus full of sorrow. Now, go deeper and ask: why did Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, permit him to leave? Clearly, Jesus was able to easily comprehend what we sometimes cannot. Jesus knew that it was better that the young man heard the truth now than for him to hear later, “Depart from me, you who practice lawlessness; I never knew you” (Matt 7:21-23). Jesus loved this young man enough to expose his insecure, selfish motives, and to reveal the actual focus of his life. In other words, Jesus wasn’t so much concerned about his start as He was with how he would finish. Jesus had hopes of giving the young man something that he unknowingly needed and desperately lacked—a readiness of heart and mind to follow and obey the Lord no matter the cost (Luke 14:26-27).
Sometimes we get so caught up in going after a career, a relationship, a dream, or an overall better life that we don’t realize that these are the things we have worked hard for, and now cherish, that have become hindrances to our passionate pursuit for Jesus. The world will lie to you and try to convince you that letting go of that ONE THING might cause you grief, but God’s word is true, and Jesus Himself said that it is in your letting go that deliverance, joy, and the greater benefits of discipleship will come into your life (Luke 9:23-24 and Luke 17:33).
My question to you: What one thing do you lack? What one thing must you take off, undo, uproot, erase, or renounce, not just to inherit eternal life, but in order to faithfully follow Jesus? For this young man, his hurdle was his wealth. For others, it could be an unhealthy relationship, a business, an educational pursuit, an addiction, or even sexual immorality. A stumbling block can be any ONE THING that we give our affections, strength, and preference to more than we do Jesus. Don’t be short-sighted and reckless with your life and walk away from Jesus with a heavy heart, full of sorrow like this young man. (Marques Farmer)
Seize the Moment
Just like when he looked upon the face of the rich young ruler, Jesus has His eyes fixed on you (1 Peter 3:12). His gaze is always directly upon us (Job 34:21). Right now, if He were to examine your heart, your life, what would He see? What do you see? Explain.
Set Your Life
What one thing do you lack?
What is hindering your walk with Jesus that you need to release and let go of?
What will be your response when Jesus looks upon you? Write out your answer and share it with your spouse, leader, or a trusted friend.
Today’s Declaration
Today, and every day hereafter, I commit to allow You to look upon my life and to expose the reservations of my heart. I renounce any defenses or resistance that may exist in me to doing life Your way. I declare that my heart is open, humble, and tender. I refuse to cling to any ONE THING or to the remnants of a life that is independent of You. I choose to wholeheartedly and freely follow You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Today’s Bible Reading
- Old Testament: Deuteronomy 33-34; Psalms 71
- New Testament: Matthew 28:11-20; Romans 16
