Mark‬ ‭10:17-27‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?” 

Jesus said, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.” 

He said, “Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!” 

Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” 

The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go. 

Looking at his disciples, Jesus said, “Do you have any idea how difficult it is for people who ‘have it all’ to enter God’s kingdom?” The disciples couldn’t believe what they were hearing, but Jesus kept on: “You can’t imagine how difficult. I’d say it’s easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for the rich to get into God’s kingdom.” 

That set the disciples back on their heels. “Then who has any chance at all?” they asked. 

Jesus was blunt: “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it.” 

I love where it says, “Jesus looked him hard in the eye – and loved him!”

It just sums up humanity; even those who want to do good, still want the list of their requirements to be tangible. Jesus looks hard at Him, loves Him, and lays it out straight – sell everything, give up everything, and follow me.

Those who lose their life for me will find it. John 12:25

Let go of this world, choose Jesus. Above it all, through it all. 

There is only one thing worth being concerned about, Mary has discovered it and it will not be taken from her. – Luke 10:42

I know this is easier said than done. But it doesn’t take away the truth and beauty found in the verse. We worry about much – we hold onto much -but Jesus still looks hard at us and loves us – and with God, we have every chance in the world of discovering the real and eternal life we were created to live. 

Oh Lord, let it be so. Thank you for your love and mercy new each day. Thank you for looking hard at us, seeing us, and loving us despite ourselves. Let us trust fully in you. Teach us Lord to let go. Amen.

And some more throwback photos – because they are fun.