The one thing you lack

Hi there,

I mentioned yesterday that I had chosen to use Mark's version of this story because it includes a unique detail the others omitted.

On hearing the claim that the man has kept all the commandments "since (he) was a boy," Mark states "Jesus looked at him and loved him."

Mark's account highlights Jesus' deep compassion for the man, even as he knows he will do something rare in all the gospels - walk away from Jesus' call.

Which humanizes the encounter and reinforces the tragedy of the man's choice. Jesus looks at him in the fullness of love, and instead he chooses the emptiness of riches.

Today's text is Mark 10: 21-23

Today's verses are in black and red and yesterday's are in grey. I've provided them for context, clarity and catch up if needed.

The Rich and the Kingdom of God

¹⁷ As 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. ¹⁹ You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

²⁰ “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

²¹ Jesus 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.”

²² At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

²³ Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”

Encouragement

“Jesus looked on him and loved him. That love did not mean complacency; it was the love of pity and compassion.

He saw the hopeful beginnings of something better, the promise of what might have been if only this man had surrendered all.

Christ loved him with that yearning love which longs to bless, but cannot unless the will yields to divine grace.”

Charles Spurgeon - Sermon "Lovely but Lacking"

Andy