Opening Our Hands to Follow Jesus: Lessons from the Rich Young Ruler
Just like monkeys can be trapped by their unwillingness to let go of something in their grasp, we too can find ourselves trapped by things we refuse to release. This powerful lesson emerges from Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler in Mark 10:17-31.
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What Does It Mean to Truly Follow Jesus?
The story begins with a wealthy man running to Jesus and falling at his feet – actions that showed genuine desperation and desire to follow Christ. He asks what he must do to inherit eternal life, demonstrating a real hunger for spiritual truth.
Why Did Jesus Challenge the Man’s Understanding of “Good”?
Jesus first challenges the man’s framework of goodness by stating that only God is truly good. This serves two purposes:
- It establishes Jesus’ divine authority
- It dismantles the notion that we can earn salvation through good works
What Was the One Thing the Rich Man Lacked?
Though the man had followed religious commandments since childhood, Jesus identified one crucial thing he lacked – the willingness to let go of his wealth and fully follow Christ. When faced with this challenge, the man walked away sad, unable to release his grip on his possessions.
The Modern Application: What Are We Holding Onto?
While this passage specifically addresses wealth, the principle applies to anything we cling to instead of fully surrendering to Jesus:
- Money and possessions
- Time and entertainment
- Personal identity
- Control over our lives
- Comfort zones
Why Is It So Hard to Let Go?
Jesus uses the metaphor of a camel going through a needle’s eye to illustrate how difficult it is for people to release their grip on temporal things for the sake of eternal value. We often:
- Trust in our own resources
- Fear vulnerability
- Struggle to fully trust God
- Want to maintain control
What Does Jesus Promise When We Let Go?
While Jesus acknowledges there will be loss in releasing what we hold dear, He promises:
- Provision in this present age
- Community through the church
- Eternal rewards that far outweigh temporary sacrifices
- That the last will be first in His kingdom
Life Application
This week, consider these questions:
- What am I holding onto that might be holding me back from fully following Jesus?
- Am I trusting in my own strength rather than God’s power to help me let go?
- What first step can I take to open my hands to God’s leading?
Challenge: Take time in prayer to ask God to reveal one thing you need to release to Him. Then, make a concrete plan to begin loosening your grip on that thing, trusting in His provision and care.
Remember: We cannot do this in our own strength, but “with God all things are possible.”