“…And Jesus, looking upon him, loved him,…” Mark 10:21
Jesus saw the rich young ruler. He saw the years of preparation and the years of potential for him. He gave him a choice, to give up everything and follow Jesus or to go away and stay on the same path. He didn’t try to reason with him or stop him leaving, but allowed him to choose. Jesus loved him and offered him everything he was searching for.
The young man had come so far, obeying the commandments and living a good life since he was a boy. He had heard of Jesus and had come to ask him what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. He knew there was more and God had led him to this point in his life to take him deeper. It seems that he was unable to take a step of faith to fulfil his destiny. He was not blessed by riches but held in their grasp.
His choice
1 Possessions
To become a true disciple he would have to give up all of his possessions. He would not merely walk away in a moment of emotion, but go and sell them in a deliberate act, and give the money to the poor. It was not a passive or negative act. He would be ridding himself of everything he owned and trusting in God for his every need. This meant much more than giving an offering or even a sacrificial gift.
2 Position
This young man was a ruler who held a position of power and authority. He would be leaving more than money, he would lose his status and the respect of people around him. He would probably lose his friends who may ridicule him. Some would desert him because they wanted to associate with the rich and famous and those with power to help them climb the ladder. Others would have been attracted by his riches and benefited from his generosity and now would have to provide for themselves or find a new supplier. He would have offended his family who would have been expecting him to follow their ways and carry on family traditions. They would lose face if their son walked away from all they had given him. They would probably disown him.
He would be walking away from a very comfortable lifestyle to become a homeless nobody
3 Purpose
The man was young and would have had his whole life mapped out. He had been groomed for greatness, to rule over people and manage his estate. He would have been used to telling others what to do and having them serve him. He would have been an eligible prospect for marriage and an influential figure. He had everything he needed to fulfil his desires – except the thing that he desired most, eternal life. In that brief moment when Jesus spoke to him this must have flashed through his mind. If he gave up his possessions, his position and his purpose, what would his future be?
Alternative choice
1 Possessions
Jesus promised him treasure in heaven (v21) but later expanded on the promise to his disciples.
“..a hundred times as much now in this time – houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions – and in the age to come eternal life” (v30)
The young man would certainly experience loss and persecution, but the rewards would be great. He would inherit the eternal life he sought and also riches in heaven and in this life too. He would have to step out in faith like Abraham and follow the Lord to receive his true inheritance. He would have trust the Lord for his daily needs just like the Israelites in the wilderness on the way to their inheritance
Jesus was more than able to provide all he needed. He multiplied food to feed thousands, turned water into wine and provided coins for the temple tax in the mouth of a fish. He told the disciples where to catch fish and kept them safe through a storm. He healed the sick and raised the dead. Money could not buy welfare like this.
2 Position
For disciples of Jesus who relinquish position to become followers the promise is clear. The greatest in the kingdom is the servant of all. This principle is the opposite of all he had been taught and would be hard to accept. It was hard for the other disciples who pushed for recognition and position (v32). The reward is that we are seated in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:6)
“..at God’s right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion and every name that is named not only in this age and in this world, but also in the age and the world which are to come.”
Eph 1:20-21
The young ruler would have been elevated to a much higher position in Christ.
3 Purpose
To enter into God’s purpose for his life the young man would have to give up all of his plans and go in a completely different direction.
“..make a decisive dedication of your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and well pleasing to God, which is your reasonable service and spiritual worship.”
Rom12:1
The gift of salvation and eternal life is free but the young man would have to let go of everything in his hands in order to take hold of it. If he had chosen to follow Jesus he would have stepped into his destiny. We do not know what might have been, we don’t even know his name, but it could have been written into the New Testament alongside Peter, James and Paul. His name would certainly have been written in heaven.
The rich young ruler walked away grieved and sorrowing. He lost everything he had been searching for and so much more. He was left with that will never satisfy but which moth and rust destroy. He returned to his small safe, predictable life where the best he could hope for was worldly success and fleeting happiness. What would his future have been if he had followed the path Jesus walked? It would have been a journey filled with both suffering and joy and it would have lasted for all eternity.
