"One Thing You Lack":The 'Eternal for Temporal' Trade

"...He went away sad, for he had many possession" Mark 10:22

The story of the rich, young ruler in the book of Mark amazes me. This young person, gifted with affluence and authority, approaches Jesus and asks what He needs to do to inherit eternal life. He was drawn to Jesus, calling Him, "Good". He appeared to be leading a successful life. Yet, he knew there was more, beyond his temporal existence. He was intelligent and seemed quite sincere in his seeking of information. Jesus replies by telling him the commandments he must keep: Not murdering, not committing adultery, not stealing, not lying, not cheating; honoring parents.

I imagine the young man feeling a mixture of hope and frustration at this answer, because he responds by saying he's obeyed all of them since he was a boy. Yet, here he was, still seeking. The next verse says Jesus looked at him lovingly and says, "One thing you lack..." and tells him to sell all he has, give it to the poor and follow Him. At this, the young man walks away grieving, because he had many possessions. In that moment and place in his life, the temporal outweighed the eternal and caused him to turn away from the "Good Teacher".

Jesus' response astounds me. He remarks how difficult it is for the rich to enter heaven. There is no pleading or reasoning to make him stay. No manipulation or shaming. He respected his free will to choose. When the shocked disciples ask who can be saved, Jesus tells them with God, all things are possible. He adds that anyone who leaves their home, close relatives or fields for Him, will receive a hundred times more in this present age, along with persecution; and eternal life in the world to come.

The young man's possessions and position had become his identity. The thought of seeing himself apart from those things, hurt him so much, he left what He'd been truly seeking. Matthew six tells us we can't serve God and money at the same time. Whatever we love as much as, or more than God, will soon define us. If our identity is in anything but Christ, we will pursue a false destiny. We will make the worthless trade of eternity (kingdom treasures) for what's temporary (carnal connections).

Interestingly, Jesus includes the struggle with money/material worship, to family relationships. Why would it ever be necessary to leave our relatives, in Christ's name? Why would He even ask it of us, if He's good? Didn't He create families? Aren't we supposed to stick closely with them, no matter what? I believe the answer is in Jesus' first reply, "Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good".

Here, Jesus sets up a hierarchy of wills. God's first, then our own. We are certainly called to love one another and serve our families. In fact, Jesus said loving others shows us we love Him. However, if our identity becomes attached to that relationship, we are out of balance. We are elevating our familial role, over our spiritual one. Living and functioning as His child comes before being anyone else's child, sibling or parent. This mindset carries an eternal value of prioritizing what is most worthy. The drastic act of giving away everything, is placing the greatest value on God, first.

What does it look like to "leave" our possessions and families to serve Christ? Some people, in fulfilling their missionary callings do literally, part from their loved ones. They bravely pursue their eternal treasure through spreading the gospel in another state or country. Their identity being in Christ, they acknowledge heaven as their real home, so the "loss" of their earthly relationships, doesn't compare with what awaits them.

Others of us, have to "leave" in a different way. We may not have to leave physically, but we may have to leave the relational dynamic as we know it. This can involve temporary or permanent friction, anger and loss. This pain of persecution (Mark 10:30) Jesus assures, will get richly rewarded in this life and the next. He is worth the pain of obedience. In fact, obeying Christ above all is the only way to insure we love others in a healthy, Godly way.

What is the one thing, you lack? Is there a relationship pattern with a loved one, you know is not Godly? Are you operating out of fear of loss, shame or weariness? Does money or material things define you? I assure you, Jesus really is the Good Teacher. He can help you get balanced again. The Holy Spirit will patiently, wisely, guide you in your decisions, as you turn and follow Him.

Order changes things. We were not meant to live in the mental chaos of materialism or codependency. The pain of obedience always produce righteous, abundant and lasting fruit.

You are worth it. They are worth it. Christ is always, worth it.

Sound Mind Awareness, Veronica Jimenez ©2019 All rights reserved.