The Cost of True Discipleship!

Scripture:

Mark 10:17–27 (KJV 1900)

¹⁷ And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? ¹⁸ And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. ¹⁹ Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother. ²⁰ And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. ²¹ Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. ²² And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. ²³ And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁴ And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! ²⁵ It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. ²⁶ And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? ²⁷ And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Devotion:

An affluent youth came to Jesus in Mark 10:17-27, and there is a significant conversation between them. The young man approached Jesus with an honest question, “What should I do to inherit eternal life?” He expressed this longing with his question, such as giving up your security for the hereafter altogether. But Jesus’ answers revealed an even more penetrating scrutiny into his Heart and what it really costs to follow Christ.

The youth, who had been faithful since childhood, found himself in a state of inner turmoil. Despite his adherence to his Heart was not fully in relationship with God. Sensing this emotional struggle challenged him to do something that went against his natural inclination to cling to his wealth. “Go, sell everything that has stood between you and me as your God. Give out these proceeds unto poor persons who reside alongside us and after that be my follower.”

He would have stopped serving himself if he trusted implicitly solely upon God instead; otherwise, everything he owned was nothing but far object to him, even if given away freely during his own days.  In light thereof, discipleship demands self-denial, not any other but Heart’s devotion, without any reservation.

Drawing closer to God demands people to give up their wealth, unlike abandoning it for physical poverty alone, hence leaving them in bewilderment since they did not know what would happen thereafter lest they lose Heaven too, attributed as a result of Elijah losing Moses, his partner during Jesus’ transfiguration from time immemorial ago still lives on even today. Age has nothing to do with it anyway; therefore, if I suggest that we follow suit without delaying much, be merciful before finding out when He will come again next.