Follow Me
Then 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
What if the thing you’re holding onto is the very thing keeping you from experiencing all that God has for you?
You’ve probably heard the saying, “You can’t take it with you.” When we leave this world, everything we’ve accumulated stays behind. The houses, cars, bank accounts, possessions, accomplishments, and titles don’t follow us into eternity. While that reality doesn’t bother me much, many people spend their lives finding security in temporary things rather than in an eternal relationship with God.
Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy being comfortable just like anyone else. But also recognize that no possession, achievement, or earthly comfort compares to the joy of following God’s plan and purpose for my life. The things of this world may satisfy for a moment, but only Jesus satisfies forever.
In today’s reading, a wealthy young man approached Jesus because he wanted to know how to inherit eternal life. He was concerned about his future after death, but he wasn’t prepared for Jesus’ answer. Jesus identified the one thing standing in the way of complete surrender. His possessions had become more important than following God’s call.
Notice that Jesus looked at him and loved him before He challenged him. Jesus wasn’t trying to take something away from him. He was trying to give him something far greater. He was offering him the opportunity to walk closely with the Savior, to be part of what God was doing, and to experience a life of eternal significance.
Sadly, the young man walked away discouraged because he couldn’t imagine life without the security of his possessions. He had an invitation that many would have dreamed of receiving, but his love for earthly things prevented him from embracing an eternal opportunity.
The same invitation still stands today. Thankfully, Jesus continues to say, “Follow Me.” He may not ask you to sell everything you own, but He will ask you to place Him above it. He wants first place in your heart, above your possessions, your plans, your comfort, your fears, and even your own understanding. Not because He wants to deprive you, but because He has a life already designed for you that far exceeds anything you could come up with or accomplish on your own. Following Jesus begins with surrender and continues through a daily relationship with Him.
Here are a few practical ways to apply this passage and get started:
- Ask God to reveal anything that has become more important to you than your relationship with Him.
- Spend time talking with Jesus each day. Start with just a few minutes of honest conversation and invite Him into every area of your life.
- Read God’s Word consistently. Begin with the Gospels and learn how Jesus lived, loved, and led others.
- Practice generosity. Look for opportunities to bless someone else with your time, encouragement, resources, or service.
- Say yes when God prompts you to take a step of faith, even when it feels uncomfortable.
- Evaluate where you find your security. Choose to trust God more than your possessions, finances, abilities, or circumstances.
If you’ve never received Christ as your Savior, today is the perfect day to begin. Following Jesus isn’t about religion. It’s about entering a personal relationship with the One who loves you, gave His life for you, and has a purpose for your life. You can begin that conversation right now with a simple prayer from your heart:
“Jesus, I want to follow You. I invite You into my life today. Lead me in Your perfect path and plan. Help me know You more and teach me to trust You above everything else. Give me the grace and strength to walk in the purpose You created for me. Thank You for loving me and calling me to follow You. Amen.”
Today I want to encourage you to say yes to Jesus’ invitation to follow Him wholeheartedly. Don’t allow temporary things to keep you from experiencing eternal treasures. The rich young ruler walked away from the greatest opportunity of his life because he couldn’t let go of what he was holding. You don’t have to make the same choice. Jesus is still extending His loving invitation today. Put Him first, trust Him with every area of your life, and discover the joy, purpose, peace, and fulfillment that can only be found by walking closely with Him.
Today’s scripture reading: Mark 10:17-22
17 Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
18 So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.’ ”
20 And he answered and said to Him, “Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.”
21 Then 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.”
22 But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Journal:
- What areas of my life compete with Jesus for first place in my heart?
- Where do I tend to find my security besides God?
- What is one practical step I can take this week to follow Jesus more closely?
- How has God been inviting me to trust Him in a deeper way?
- What would change in my life if I fully surrendered every area to Jesus?
The Daily Dose 