Emotions of the moment

Mark 10:17-22


The young aristocrat, in the moment of overflowing emotions, came running and fell at the feet of Jesus, desiring to know what he must do to inherit eternal life. Replying that he had obeyed the laws and had never harmed anyone, but Jesus looked at him and loved him and said “Go and sell everything and follow Me.” The young rich man walked away grieved, because he had many possessions.

How many times have I run to Jesus filled with the emotions of the moment, only to walk away when the moment has passed? Have I fallen at His feet, desiring His touch, His counsel, only to limit Him as to where He may touch or lead?

I believe that Jesus was saying to the young ruler, “It’s not about what you have done, but what have you done for others?” If we keep all the laws, yet do not love one another then we have failed at the very essence of what it means to follow Christ.

Jesus looked at him and loved him. I believe it was a look of grief. Jesus saw the man deliberately choose not to be what he had within him to be. W.B. wrote, Jesus looks at us with the appeal of love and with the challenge to live the Christian life. God grant that He may never have to look at us with sorrow because we have refused to be what we might have been.