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The High Cost of Almost: The Tragedy of the Rich Young Man



Jesus invites people from every background to become ambassadors of His eternal kingdom. However, an encounter with Him rarely leaves a person unchanged. To follow Jesus, we must inevitably leave something behind. Those who cannot relinquish what this world offers often find themselves forced to turn away from the only One who offers what they truly need.

The Man Who Had Everything (Except Peace)

The rich young man was a model citizen. He had wealth, status, and a reputation for moral excellence. By every earthly measurement, he was a success.

"Now behold, one came and said to Him, 'Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?'" (Matthew 19:16, NKJV).

Mark’s Gospel adds that he came running and knelt before Jesus (Mark 10:17). This was desperation dressed in fine clothes. Despite his religious observance and bank balance, he was empty. He had checked every box but still stood before Christ asking, "What do I still lack?"

The Tailored Prescription

Jesus’ response was not a universal command for every believer to live in poverty. It was a customized prescription for a specific heart. Jesus diagnosed the exact point where this man’s allegiance was divided.

"Jesus said to him, 'If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me'" (Matthew 19:21, NKJV).

Notice the detail in Mark 10:21: "Jesus, looking at him, loved him." This was not a demand from a tyrant; it was an invitation from a Savior. Jesus wasn't trying to take his money; He was trying to take his idols. For this man, wealth was his security and his god. Jesus offered him an exchange: temporary security for eternal treasure.

The Sorrowful Choice

The young man’s reaction is one of the most tragic moments in the Gospels.

"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions" (Matthew 19:22, NKJV).

He didn't leave in anger or defiance. He left in sorrow. He recognized the value of what Jesus offered, but he simply couldn't pay the price of admission. He is the only person in the Gospels who sought Jesus out and walked away without following Him. Tax collectors, fishermen, and outcasts left everything—but the "model citizen" couldn't let go.

What Jesus Requires

Whatever you cannot imagine living without is your god. Jesus does not want to be an "add-on" to your existing priorities; He wants the throne.

  • For the young man, it was wealth.
  • For you, it might be a career, a relationship, or a reputation.

Jesus brings us all to this point of decision. He identifies the specific place where our hearts are divided and asks us to choose.

The Power of the Impossible

After the man left, the disciples were astonished. "Who then can be saved?" they asked. If a moral, wealthy, God-fearing man couldn't make it, who could? Jesus gave them the core of the Gospel:

"But Jesus looked at them and said to them, 'With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible'" (Matthew 19:26, NKJV).

Salvation cannot be earned through moral achievement or bought with riches. It is humanly impossible. It requires empty hands—letting go of our own efforts to receive His finished work.

The Reward of the Exchange

Following Jesus is costly. It may mean sacrificing comfort, security, or social standing. But Jesus promises that the return far outweighs the investment:

  • In this life: A hundredfold in spiritual community and purpose.
  • In the age to come: Eternal life.

Jesus never promised that following Him would be easy, but He did promise it would be worth it.

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