Mark 10:21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
What a hard passage. This rich young man had just assured Jesus that he had "kept all the commandments since his youth"...the first of which is "have no God before Me"Exodus 20:3
This seems to be the commandment we all struggle with, and just like this young man, we often don't see it until we are forced to choose. The tragedy in this case is that when Christ's words revealed the idol, he was not willing to abandon it.
Jesus didn't tell him to sell everything in order to punish him... Jesus loved him, he was simply answering his question... "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"
The answer...worship Me alone...and that will always be the answer.
It was the answer in the garden of Eden, and it will be the answer when Christ returns.
Acts 4:12 Salvation is found in no one else...
"He went away sad, because he had great wealth." What irony. The young man walked away from Jesus, and unimaginable riches in Heaven, because he too greatly valued his temporary wealth on earth.
The question is what do you value?.... money? reputation? position? ....when Christ's words reveal your idols will you abandon them, or will you abandon Jesus? Apparently those are our only two options. Jesus Loved him, but as he "went away sad" there were no negotiations.
Tear down, and destroy anything that compromises your allegiance to Christ, then hold on for the ride...because His next words are..."come follow Me"
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