And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
-Mark 10:21-22
Over the last few weeks, we’ve been exploring how Jesus guides His disciples into a redeemed way of leadership. Today, we continue this theme with a slight twist.
In the story of the rich young man, the focus is not on his leadership of others but on his inward posture toward security, an issue many of us understand, especially as leaders.
The young man approaches Jesus with anxiety. Despite doing everything the law requires, he still asks what he must do to inherit eternal life. There is something restless inside him, a disquieted feeling that drives him to seek more.
In ancient Israel, as in our culture today, wealth and power were often seen as signs of God’s favor, evidence of one’s righteousness. This belief lingers in our hearts. How often, in moments of pain, loss, or grief, have we thought,
“God, what have I done to deserve this?”
Beneath that thought lies the assumption that good actions earn favor and that righteousness protects us from suffering.
The rich young man shares this mindset. He has kept the commandments and amassed wealth, yet neither his obedience nor his possessions bring him the peace he desires. Kneeling before Jesus, he seeks wisdom and assurance of eternal life.
At this moment, the Gospel tells us that Jesus looked at him and loved him.
Imagine that Jesus looks into this man's heart, sees his anxiety and striving, and instead of reproach, He responds with love.
When we fail, when our best efforts leave us empty, and we turn to Christ, He meets us with love. He cares for us. He lived for us, died for us, and rose for us. Of course, He loves us, but it’s good to be reminded.
Jesus sees the rich young man’s desire for security, and like the Great Physician He is, He offers the prescription the man needs:
“Go, sell all that you have and give to the poor... and come, follow me.”
This is more than a call to renounce wealth. It is an invitation to trust. Jesus calls him to let go of the illusion of self-sufficiency and to find security in God alone.
But the young man is unable to accept this invitation. He walks away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. Jesus sees the anxiety born of wealth and accomplishment, knowing there is only one remedy: letting go of the very things that create the illusion of control.
In the eyes of the world, his wealth signaled God’s favor, but Jesus turns that belief on its head. Eternal life, the peace that surpasses all understanding, is not earned through hard work or wealth. It begins by trusting fully in Christ.
The rich young man’s story points to a larger truth: true peace doesn’t come from what we cling to in this life. True peace comes when we let go and entrust ourselves to Christ.
Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” His invitation to the rich young man to sell all and follow is ultimately about trusting that Christ is enough. It’s about recognizing Jesus as the source of life, peace, and eternal security.
For the rich young man, self-reliance was his idol. He believed his wealth and righteousness could secure his standing with God. But the Gospel confronts us with this question: How often do we believe our goodness, our works, or our control over life can keep us safe?
Jesus invites us to stop clinging so tightly to self-reliance that our hands bleed. He invites us to trust that God’s grace is sufficient, that His power is perfect in our weakness, and that eternal life comes not from what we do but from whom we follow.
So, how do we respond to Jesus’ invitation? Are we afraid to let go? Or are we willing to trust that His arms are strong enough, that His invitation is worth the leap?
Today, remember that when Jesus looks at us, He loves us. When He calls us to let go, it’s not to deprive us but to invite us into a deeper joy and greater security than we could ever build on our own. Let’s lay down our burdens and illusions of control, trusting that following Him is worth everything we have and infinitely more.
The Security of Letting Go