The Almost Disciple

And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17).

Do you remember the sad story of the rich, young ruler? He came to Jesus with so much going for him. He had plenty of money and lived a privileged life. Even more important, he'd been a faithful Jew all his life, keeping the laws and commandments. And now, he came seeking Jesus, calling Him "Good Master," and wanting eternal life.

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. (Mark 10:21).

The young man had come to the right place. Jesus, seeing the good in this man but knowing his heart, asked him to give his possessions to the poor and follow Him. Of all the things Jesus could have said, the young man had likely never imagined this. It was the one thing that made him struggle because he had extensive wealth.

And he was sad at the saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions (Mark 10:22).

In the end, his wealth meant more to the man than following Jesus, and he went away grieved for he wanted both. We know that God won't accept us putting anything above Him in our lives. To the man's credit, his decision still grieved him, but he thought he'd been asked to give up too much, so he gave up being one of Jesus' disciples. In actuality, what he gave up -- Jesus -- was so much greater than what he kept -- his possessions. Can you imagine the joy and peace of following Jesus in the flesh, learning at his feet, and being one of his special friends?

But before we judge this rich young man too harshly, would you be willing to give up every possession you have, all of it, and become homeless if you felt God commanded you to? We would hope so, and we might even think so, but when it came time, could we do it? It would mean losing all earthly security, all means of making a living and trusting God completely for everything. Now, God doesn't ask us all to do this, but if He did, He wants us to put Him before our possessions. I pray that we all would have that much faith, trust, and commitment because God won't accept anything else. He won't be second best in our hearts.

You shall have no other gods before me (Exodus 20:3).

He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me (Matthew 10:37).

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