The Opportunity of a Lifetime

Scripture – Mark 10:17-22: ¹⁷As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” ¹⁸“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. ¹⁹You 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.’” ²⁰“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” ²¹Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” ²²At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Reflection: Here comes a man wanting to know what he needs to “do.” That’s the easy way out. If I can reduce following Jesus to a check list, then I can mark things off as I do them, and eventually I’ll have done enough. Discipleship becomes little more than a scavenger hunt.

Jesus looked at this man and loved him. (That’s a step I often overlook.) Then, as He does so often, He gives the man more than what he’s asked for. Jesus reached deep into the man’s heart and gave him the challenge and opportunity to change his life – to let go of what was standing between him and eternal life.

The man “went away sad” from this dialogue. I wonder if he was sad because he knew it would be painful to do what Jesus told him. I can imagine him selling all his stuff and giving the proceeds to the poor – as hard as that would have been for him. In doing that, he would already be following Jesus.

What’s the word for me here? I’ll look deeper into my own heart, rather than speculate about this man. What’s the challenge for me? What’s the opportunity?

Lord, thank you for the assurance of eternal life. In that sense, the man’s question is not mine. Still, guide me into deeper waters as I follow you. Show me where I need to loosen my grip, even though it may be painful to do that.