Mark 10:17 (KJB) And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.
19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.
20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.
Good morning, brethren. I hope and pray all is well with you. I wanted to share a friendly observation after reading my morning Bible devotional. In this passage, the Lord Jesus is approached by “one” from the area. A quick cross reference of this account shows that this man who ran to Jesus was “a certain ruler” (Luke 18:18), and that he was “very rich” (Luke 18:23). At first glance, the rich man’s question seems straightforward, natural in thought, and logical. He asks what works were required for him to inherit eternal life. Was there something inherently wrong with his motive? Not necessarily. At first, he appears sincere, dedicated, and motivated to live a right and obedient life in hope of a future inheritance in the afterlife.
However, verse 21 clarifies the entire context before our eyes. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him.”
The word translated as beholding is the Greek term ἐμβλέψας (emblepsas), meaning having looked intently, having gazed into, to gaze steadily, to fix one’s eyes upon, to look with focused attention, or to look searchingly or discerningly. This was not a casual glance, but a deliberate act of sight. The Lord performed a spiritual inspection into the bowels of the rich man. What did He discover? That the man still lacked something that would prevent him from inheriting eternal life. It was his love for riches more than God (Luke 18:24). He lacked trust in God, preferring his riches instead (Mark 10:24).
But notice the next two important words in our text, which we must not miss: loved him.
The word translated as loved is the Greek term ἠγάπησεν (ēgapēsen), meaning to love, to value, to hold in high regard, to show benevolence, to choose to love, and to act in goodwill. This verb is related to the noun ἀγάπη (agapē), denoting love expressed through will and action rather than emotion alone.
Jesus’ response in exposing the failure and fault of this man was done out of love, not law.
What was the primary truth Jesus sought to bring to his attention? It was the very truth that the scribe would later profess in Mark 12:28–34:
“Well, Master, thou hast said the truth for there is one God, and there is none other but he. And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbour as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.”
When a man loves God with all his heart, understanding, soul, and strength, there will be no room for idolatry, selfishness, or egotism to distract, hinder, or prevent their obedience to His commands that would build his (or her) future inheritance from being received. Why? Because a man who loves God more than himself will seek to obey His commandments willingly, not grudgingly or by force, even when obedience costs him his earthly possessions. Loving God more than self, keeps our spiritual eyes of faith open to perceive what lies beyond the grave; which is eternal glory with God and the reward of our inheritance.
Like those in the great cloud of witnesses recorded in Hebrews 11, such a man “looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God” (Hebrews 11:10).
This, my friend, is what that rich man lacked. He lacked love for God with all his heart, mind, soul, and strength, and he lacked faith that yielding himself fully to God’s commands would result in a heavenly inheritance that far outlasts his earthly possessions. Dear friend, how can I exhort you today? By humbly reminding you that when Jesus looks intently into your soul and calls out your faults and deficiencies, do not be offended by His words. When His words draw out what you lack in order to show you what He can supply, they are spoken in love.
We must also be careful not to misunderstand when others examine us and identify areas where we lack, offering heartfelt counsel. Often, this too is done in love, helping us to see that treasures in heaven far exceed treasures on earth (Proverbs 18:17; 28:11).
Therefore, I humbly ask you to pray the following prayer, written long ago by a man who understood this truth:
Psalm 26:2 (KJB) Examine me, O LORD, and prove me try my reins and my heart.
Dear Christian friend, would you reconsider where your heart is today, your priorities, and your personal desires? We know that salvation is by faith alone in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ (Ephesians 2:8–9). However, our future inheritance is conditional upon obedience to His commands and submission to His will. Does the cross you are commanded to bear seem heavy? It would not if you love God with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength. Those who love God more than self eagerly take up their cross, knowing that they obtain better riches, enduring riches, and a heavenly inheritance rather than temporary gain on earth.
With love, Brother Carlos.
