As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "Why do you call me good?’"Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother." "Teacher," he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy." Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," He said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:17–22, NIV

Why is it that we consider Jesus’ private conversation with Nicodemus (“you must be born again”) true for all people, but Jesus’ public conversation with this young man to be only for him? Certainly, this passage isn’t saying that everyone who wants to follow Jesus should sell all their worldly possessions and give the money to the poor, right? Then again, could it be that we are missing something in this story?

Jesus tells this man two things: to let go of his wealth and to follow Him. So often we’re so focused on the financial implications of this verse—did He really mean we should sell all our stuff—that we miss the obvious invitation. Jesus says, to this man and to us, “Follow me. Don’t stop at merely believing certain things in your head, or keeping certain rules. But follow—orient your life around our relationship. Do as I do. Walk with me.” If we follow, we realize that our stuff doesn’t matter. We see that when we’re reborn, everything changes.

 

FAITH STEP: What are you holding tightly to, that Jesus may be asking you to release, so that you can truly follow Him? What is one small step you could take today to follow Jesus?