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22
A Call to Stand Apart
his life and character. He loved the youth kneeling at His feet and
wanted to give him the peace he desired. So He replied, “One thing
is missing. Sell all your possessions and give the proceeds to the
poor. That will give you a bank account in heaven. Then pick up the
cross and follow Me.
Jesus sincerely wanted this young man as one of His disciples.
He knew the youth could be a tremendous influence for good. He
had many fine qualifications and talents. Jesus wanted to give him
the opportunity to develop a character that would reflect the likeness
of God.
If the ruler had joined Jesus, he would have been a great power
for good. If he’d made the choice to be a disciple, how different his
life would have been
His life could have become all he wanted it to be. But one thing
was missing, just one! To sell and distribute his great wealth and join
Jesus would have corrected that one weakness. That action would
have emptied self-interest from his life and filled it instead with the
love of God. Jesus asked him to make a choice between worldly
wealth and heavenly worth.
To join Jesus meant that this young man had to accept a life
of self-denial. With deep interest Jesus watched him weigh the
question. With keen insight the ruler understood what he’d been
told, but it made him depressed. If he had sensed what he would gain
in the gift Jesus offered, he would have become a disciple. Instead,
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he reflected on what he would lose
The man kneeling before Jesus served as an honored member of
a council of the Jews, and Satan tempted him to think of the flattering
prospects that position held. Yes, to be sure, this young adult did
want the spiritual treasure Jesus offered. But he also wanted the
advantages of his wealth. Yes, he desired eternal life. But he didn’t
want all that sacrifice. Finally, having thought it through, he walked
away in great sadness. The cost of eternal life seemed too high.
The rich young ruler became a victim of self-deception. Even
though he said otherwise, he hadn’t been keeping all the command-
ments. He had an idol that he worshiped—his wealth. He loved his
possessions more than God, the gifts more than the Giver.
Many today face the same choice. They weigh the competing
claims of the spiritual world and the material world. And like the
