Affected by the Savior
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
The account of the Rich Young Ruler coming to Jesus is probably familiar to most Bible students. According to the text, the young man approached our Savior and asked:
“Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).
After reminding him to keep the commandments, Jesus “looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me’” (Mark 10:21).
To understand the instructions Jesus gave to the young man, we must recognize Jesus knows the hearts of men (see Mark 2:8). Thus, He correctly identified what hindered the Rich Young Ruler from being entirely dedicated to God—his riches. And since God demands total devotion, Jesus instructed the young man to sell his possessions.
At this point, the text reveals how Jesus’s words affected the young man. Mark wrote:
“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).
The picture of the Rich Young Ruler walking away from the Savior is one of the saddest in all of Scripture. Although he had come to the right source and asked the right question, he left our Lord in obvious turmoil. (The word translated “sad” conveys the idea that his physical expression changed, i.e. it became gloomy.)
But why did he leave the Lord in this manner? He left because he loved his riches more than he loved Jesus.
The Rich Young Ruler was certainly affected by Jesus. He turned from the Savior; we must turn to Him. We must not allow anything to come between us and the Lord.
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
Amen
The Rich Young ruler story is certainly applicable to Americans! Our affluent culture is a real danger and such a powerful tool uses the most. Chad Ramsay's article on this young man was most appropriate!