In Mark Chapter 10, Jesus is met by a rich, young ruler eager to affirm his standing with God. He comes to Jesus appearing to humbly seek the way of eternal life but instead uses the encounter to proclaim his life-long faithfulness to all ten commandments. So what could be holding him back?
Verse 21 says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” Jesus knew what stood in the way: “One thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
The man came expecting affirmation of his goodness so that he could simply return to the life he already enjoyed. Instead, he was confronted with the truth and invited to walk into a glorious new life with Christ. Standing face-to-face with the Son of God Himself, the young man decided in his heart that what Jesus had to offer could not possibly be more valuable than what he already had. He couldn’t bear to part with his possessions. As a result, instead of finding freedom in Christ, he chose to remain a slave to the world.
Every day, Jesus invites us to step out in faith and follow Him. Are you following Him with your whole heart? If not, what’s holding you back? Take a few moments now and pray. Ask God to reveal to you what’s holding you back. What (or who) have you become a slave to? What are you afraid to let go of? Fill in the blank below with what God has shown you must do:
“Go, [break the chains of whatever is holding you back] then come, follow me.”
Notice how loving and merciful our God is! He does not leave us in our empty condition. At the precise moment we surrender whatever has been holding us back, He invites us to move forward and follow Him!
It is only after we break the chains of whatever has become our god that will we be able to step forward unimpeded, joyfully following the One true God who sets us free.
Shadia Hrichi
