Hadn’t he done enough? From the time of his youth he had kept all the commandments. From all accounts you sense he was a sincere seeker of God. From all indicators he was serious about pursuing the things of God. So, when this young man of some apparent financial means hears about Jesus, and His claims concerning the kingdom, the young man seeks out the Teacher. Approaching Jesus, the young man kneels . . . again, indicating an authentic humility. Having an audience with Jesus, he asks him the one question that reveals the longing of his heart, “What must I do to inherit internal life?” BAM!!! That’s what you want! A demonstrated track record of seeking God . . . a desire to know Him further . . . asking all the right questions. Time to “sign him up!” But Jesus has a different response . . .

And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “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.”   (Mark 10:21 ESV)

And looking at him, Jesus loved him.

At that moment the Master fixed His eyes on that one soul. He knew him . . . intimately. His background . . . his sincerity . . . his heart . . . and his snares. Jesus doesn’t dispute that he sought to be a keeper of the commandments. Jesus knew that the young man could truthfully “check the box” beside each of the commands Jesus had quoted, “Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.” But what of the first commandment . . . You shall have no gods before Me? What of the greatest commandment . . . you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength? Jesus looked at him . . . knew him . . . and loved him too much not to reveal to him his lack.

One thing he lacked . . . one really big thing. His heart had made room for another . . . the throne was already occupied . . . material gain already had the seat at the table. And so Jesus says, sell it all . . . give it to the poor . . . follow Me alone . . . and you will have treasure in heaven.

Tough message. High calling. But Jesus, knowing him, loved him. And so He was straight with him.

Though the young man was disheartened by the saying, though he went away sorrowful, I like to think it was because he recognized truth when he heard it. That he was, in fact, an idolater. That he wanted to serve both God and mammon. That he desired the treasure of heaven, but he also delighted in the riches of earth. That though he sought the kingdom, he also loved the world. That, while wanting to think that he was good, he had to acknowledge Jesus’ revelation that “no one is good except God alone” (10:18).

And I like to think that he left with a “godly sorrow that leads to repentance” (2Cor. 7:10). And that because Jesus looked at him . . . and loved him . . . and called him on the thing he lacked . . . that the seeds were planted that led the young man to repentance. That by the grace of God, and the convicting and courting agency of the Spirit, the young man eventually released his grip on his “great possessions” and gave himself fully to following his great Redeemer.

Because Jesus loved him, Jesus challenged him. And though it initially saddened him, I wonder if it didn’t ultimately save him.

That Jesus would so love me . . . revealing my lack . . . not that I might be saved . . . but that I might be sanctified.

Search me, O God, and know my heart!
   Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
   and lead me in the way everlasting!    (Psalm 139:23-24 ESV)

By His grace . . . for His glory.