"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
This is one of the most heart breaking interactions with Jesus that we see in the Bible. This “Rich Young Ruler” has so much promise. He seems to have it all: he’s young, he’s in a place of position, he’s religious, respectful, humble – and yet something is still missing in his life.
Jesus desires to give him complete fulfillment. He wants to give him what he’s asking for, and even promises that in doing so, he will have treasure in heaven!
The “one thing” lacking in this incredible young man is that he trusted in himself more than Jesus.
His earthly possessions had more value than heavenly ones. He was willing for Jesus to be a teacher in his life, but not his ultimate authority. His faith was in his good works and not in the work of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is loving enough to show you the one thing holding you back from fully trusting in Him. He desires to give you a peace that’s not of this world, an identity that is eternal, and a fulfillment that is unshakeable. Jesus wants to give you life and life more abundantly, in this life and in the one to come.
Friend, who is your ultimate authority?
All of life comes down to this question. The rich young ruler was not willing to give up all that he had to follow Jesus. He was unwilling to allow Jesus to be his ultimate authority, which led to grief and sorrow. Let us be praying for Him to show us the next step in surrendering our all to Him, and may we be quick to obey that we would have a life filled with joy and blessing.