The Disciple Who Never Was
May 9, 2012 (Wednesday)
“Jesus looked at him and loved him” (Mark 10:21 NIV). By any definition that’s “love at first sight.” There was something about him that caused Jesus to see the very best in him; he could have been a great disciple whose name would be well-known among Christians today. But we know him only as, “The Rich Young Ruler.”
This young man had much to offer Christ. He was a good person, who faithfully obeyed the Ten Commandments. He was young, and had a life to offer in service to Jesus. As a young man, he more than likely had good health and strength, qualities that would have enhanced his abilities. He was a person of authority, a “ruler,” whose background would have added to the strong qualities he was offering Jesus.
He had one question for Jesus: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” Jesus replied that, in addition to morality, he would be required to give up all his wealth. He asked him to sell everything he had and give the proceeds to the poor. Then he was to take up his cross and follow Jesus, just like all his other disciples. Apparently, this was the one giant obstacle in the way of this young man. He wanted eternal life and he wanted to remain close to Christ, but he wanted to allow his material possessions to maintain first place.
In spite of Jesus’ obvious affection for him, and his obvious desire to become one of Jesus’ disciples, he could not give Jesus first place in his heart. “.. the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth” (Mark 10:22 NIV).
Jesus then turned to his disciples and told them that having wealth can be a hindrance to faith. It’s not the money that keeps us from loving Christ, it’s our devotion to a material and secular lifestyle. It’s the love of money that’s the root of all evil, not the money itself, which can be good, bad or neutral. It’s up to us. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10 NIV).
An old gospel song says it well:
“If I gained the world, but had not Jesus,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that soon must pass away?”