The Rich Young Ruler Goes Away

He ran to Jesus.

He knelt before him.

He asked: Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?

Jesus asked why he called him good. Only God is good.

He asked about the commandments.

The man said: Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.

Jesus looked at him.

Mark records that he loved him.

He looked at him and loved him and said:

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.

Disheartened by the saying, the man went away sorrowful.

For he had great possessions.

He had come running.

He had knelt.

He had kept the law.

And Jesus loved him.

And still he went away.

Jesus watched him go.

He told his disciples how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.

He said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.

The disciples were astonished.

They asked who then could be saved.

Jesus said with men it is impossible.

With God all things are possible.

The man had asked the right question.

He had come to the right person.

He had even been loved before he was answered.

And he left.

Because the one thing required was the thing he could not let go.

We don't know his name.

We don't know if he ever came back.

We only know the direction he walked.

Away.

Share This Story