The One Thing The Wealthy Young Man Didn't Have

By Mary Vee
Mark 10:17-31

Jesus left the crowds and continued his journey. As He and His disciples walked down the road a man ran up to him and fell on his knees.

Jesus, full of compassion stopped and waited for the man to speak.

"Good teacher," the man said. "What must I do to inherit eternal life?"

Jesus asked, "Why do you call me good? No one is good--except God alone. You know the commandments. Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother."

"Yes, Teacher. All of these I have kept since I was a boy."

Jesus looked at the man and loved him. He said, "One thing you lack. Go. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. When you are finished, come. Follow me."

The man looked to the ground. He closed his eyes and slowly shook his head. How could he sell everything and give it all to the poor? He had such great wealth. The man turned and walked away, filled with sadness.

Jesus turned to his disciples and said, "It is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God."

The disciples were surprised to hear this. So Jesus said it again, "It is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. It is actually easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

The disciples were amazed and said to each other, "If this is so, who can be saved? No one?"

Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God."

Peter, one of his disciples said, "We've left everything to follow you. What will there be for us?"

Jesus answered, "When the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 

"But keep in mind, many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first."

Come back to read more.


*Note from Mary Vee: If you have questions, please feel free to leave them in the comment section. I will see them and will answer as best I can or direct you to a source.

*Photos for today's post are courtesy of Sweet Publishings
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sources: 
*A Harmony of the Gospels for Historical Study, An Analytical Synopsis of the Four Gospels by William Arnold Stevens and Ernest DeWitt Burton, Charles Scribner's Sons, New York 1932
*New International Version, New King James Version. 
*My Bible College training.
*My notes and walk through classes I've taught in Children's church. Answers to student questions, etc.
*Pastoral sermons on this time
*Matthew Henry Commentary
*F. LaGard Smith Commentary
*My notes from my trip to Israel.
*Photos from my trip to Israel.