Mark10:17-27  Mark gives us another scene.. to observe Jesus and a man we know as the "rich young ruler".  At first we observe this man coming to Jesus.. running to Him and kneeling before Him.  And.. he asks a good question, "Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?"  

He didn't come to test Jesus as the Pharisees did.  He didn't have a hard heart.  He came like the children came.. it seems.  His desire was sincere and honest.  But.. Jesus had a question for him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good except God alone. "   He continued.. "You know the commandments.. "  This is what God defines as "good".. "Do not murder. Do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not bear false witness. Do not defraud. Honor your Father and your Mother."  

The young man responds with confidence.. " Teacher I have kept all these things from my youth up."  He seems to want some recognition or  maybe just some confirmation  that he was on the right track..  that he had already made the grade.  

"And looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him.. "   Jesus saw the need this young man had.. a need for more.. a need for truth.. a need that would go beyond the outward adherence to the law.. to a true covenant relationship with the heavenly Father.  And He offers him just that.. 

"One thing you lack; go and sell all you possess, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."  Jesus asked him.  But.. "at  these words his face fell and he went away grieved, for he was one who owned much property."   

It's hard, Jesus says, "for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God." This statement shocked the disciples!  The wealthy had it easy.. they were "blessed", weren't they?  How can it be hard?  But.. Jesus tells them, "with men it is impossible.. "   Wealth had just kept this young man from following Jesus.. from trusting in the Creator who made him and cared for him. Trusting in property and titles.. position or power.. keeps people from trusting God enough to give it all up to Him.  Don't we know it!

But Jesus doesn't leave us hopeless.. " .. but not with God, for all things are possible with God." 

Father in heaven,  how can we do anything without You?  We can not!  You are the Lover of our souls and You will help us when we come to You. You are at work in us to both "will and do" Your good pleasure.  How else can we live?  How else can we have eternal life?  We must have Jesus as our all in all.. as our Source.. as our Savior and King.  Draw us closer and help us to surrender all to You. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen