And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “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
I love reading the Scripture. Perhaps you and I have that in common. But I especially love the end of the Bible, because it has a happy ending. And in the end there will be no more sin, no more suffering, and no more Satan!
But, of course, not every story in Scripture has a happy ending. In fact, the rich young ruler, as he’s commonly known, didn’t find the happy ending he had hoped for. In fact, he’s one of the few people who, having encountered Jesus, left worse than he came.
You see, by all natural standards this young man was a tremendous success. He was popular, powerful, and had great possessions. But when he asked Jesus what he must do to inherit eternal life he was stunned by Jesus’ reply.
Jesus told this young man that he still “lacked one thing.” And to find it he would have to rid himself of all his possessions. The Scripture says the young man walked away sorrowful.
Listen! There is nothing on earth as important or as valuable as eternal life.
You don’t have to walk away from Jesus sorrowful, not if you’re willing to let go of the world and follow him.
THERE IS NOTHING ON EARTH AS IMPORTANT OR AS VALUABLE AS ETERNAL LIFE.
