Follow Him Wholeheartedly
– Ponderings:

Mark 10:17-22 tells the story of a young man who came to Jesus asking about eternal life. “As Jesus went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, ‘Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?’ Jesus said, ‘You know the commandments: Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t lie, don’t cheat, honor your father and mother.’ He said, ‘Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!’ Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, ‘There’s one thing left. Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.’ The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go..”
I think the young man was sincere when he came to Jesus with his question, but I also think he expected a different answer. He compared his lifestyle to others and believed, on balance, that he was better than other people. And, Jesus let him get away with it. Instead, Jesus looked into the heart and saw the one thing the young man valued above everything else – his possessions. Jesus saw that this young man would never prioritize Jesus even to gain eternal life because he was too attached to his money and other “stuff.” It wasn’t a question of how much he had, it was a question of what he was willing to give up.
This passage isn’t just about money; it’s about whatever holds first place in our hearts. Jesus asks us to follow him wholeheartedly, surrendering anything that competes with our devotion. For some, it might be wealth, but for others, it could be status, relationships, comfort, or control.
What is Jesus asking you to release today? It might not be easy, but remember—just like with the young man, he calls us in love. His invitation is not about loss but about gaining something much greater: a life filled with true purpose and eternal joy.
Prayer: Lord, help me to surrender anything that keeps me from following you completely. Give me the courage to trust in you and the faith to value the life you offer above all else. Amen.