Rich Young Ruler

by Hugh DeLong

I find it interesting to see the list of commandments that Jesus quoted to the rich young ruler in Mark 10:19: "You know the commandments: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; do not defraud; honor your father and mother.”

If you compare this short list with the ‘full’ list of the Ten Commandments, you will notice that Jesus did not include ‘covetousness’. Then, after the young man stated that he had kept these from his youth, even until this time.

Jesus responds: "Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, 'One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me'" (Mark 10:21).

This young man walks away, away from eternal life! His worldly possessions were esteemed more valuable than eternal life. We do not know what happened to this young man as his life unfolded. I hope that he later reconsidered.

Then the question: what would I have done? The answer is unsettling as I examine my own heart and life. What if I lost everything? Would I still hold onto my trust in Jesus? What if my house and worldly goods were confiscated by some authority? What if a storm destroyed it all? As you consider this, we need to de-escalate the question and talk not about complete loss, but setbacks. Lose your job? Lose your friends and family? Have health problems that change your whole lifestyle?

I understand this specific command to this specific young man is not a universal requirement for discipleship. People became disciples, and yet some retained riches and property. Others, in fact, did ‘leave all and follow Jesus.’

I thus ask myself another question: Has Jesus changed? Is he my resurrected Lord and King? These setbacks are difficult to handle, but Jesus remains the same. At some point, I will lose all worldly things and relationships, I will die, and take my faith into eternity. Will I hear “well done, faithful servant”? Memorize Jesus' exhortation: “Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10).