“Go,
sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
Mark 10:21
Mark 10 [18.] Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’”
Mark 10 [20.] He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”
Mark 10 [21.] Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”
Mark 10 [22.] But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions. Jesus looked around, and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”
Meaning:
In this verse, Jesus responds to the rich young ruler's inquiry about inheriting eternal life. The significance of Mark 10:21 lies in Jesus' challenge to the young man to relinquish his attachment to wealth and follow Him wholeheartedly.
First, Jesus looks at the young man and loves him. This act of love demonstrates Jesus' compassion and concern for the young man's spiritual well-being. Despite the young man's wealth and status, Jesus sees beyond outward appearances and perceives the deeper needs of his heart.
Second, Jesus identifies the one thing the young man lacks: complete surrender to God. He instructs the young man to sell all his possessions, give to the poor, and follow Him. This command challenges the young man to let go of his material wealth and place his trust fully in God. It reveals Jesus' radical call to discipleship, which prioritizes devotion to God above all else.
Finally, Jesus invites the young man to take up his cross and follow Him. This imagery foreshadows Jesus' own sacrificial death on the cross and emphasizes the cost of discipleship. It requires a willingness to embrace suffering and self-denial for the sake of following Jesus. By calling the young man to take up his cross, Jesus underscores the necessity of commitment and sacrifice in the Christian life.
One cross-reference that sheds light on the significance of Mark 10:21 is found in Matthew 19:21, a parallel account of this encounter, where Jesus says to the young man, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have, and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me." This passage reinforces the idea that true discipleship involves surrendering everything to follow Jesus completely.
Another cross-reference that enhances our understanding of Mark 10:21 is found in Luke 14:27, where Jesus says, "Whoever doesn’t bear his own cross, and come after me, can’t be my disciple." This verse emphasizes the radical demands of discipleship and the necessity of counting the cost of following Jesus.
As we reflect on Mark 10:21, we are challenged to examine our own lives and priorities in light of Jesus' call to discipleship. Like the rich young ruler, we may be tempted to cling to our earthly possessions and security, but Jesus invites us to surrender everything and follow Him. He offers us the promise of treasure in heaven and the assurance of eternal life in His kingdom.
In conclusion, Mark 10:21 highlights Jesus' radical call to discipleship and the cost of following Him. It challenges us to examine our own hearts and priorities and to surrender everything to Jesus. As we respond to His invitation with faith and obedience, may we experience the abundant life and eternal blessings that come from wholeheartedly following Him.