S – 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.” ²² Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 

Mark 10:21–22 ESV

O – Commentary:

Jesus saw beneath the rich man’s religious devotion to his deepest need and loved him, something mentioned only in Mark (cf. comment on 10:14). The one necessary thing he lacked was unrivaled allegiance to God, since wealth was his god (v. 22). He was devoted to it rather than God, thereby breaking the first commandment (Ex. 20:3).

Jesus commanded two things: (1) The man was to go, sell all his assets, and give to the poor, thereby removing the obstacle blocking him from eternal life, namely, self-righteous achievement coupled with a love for money. (2) Also Jesus told him to follow (pres. imper.) Him to Jerusalem and the Cross. The way to eternal life was in turning from trust in self-attainments and earthly securities to trust in Jesus (cf. Mark 10:14–15).

 John D. Grassmick, “Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 150–151.

A – I was drawn to these verses today because it said, “Jesus, looked at him, loved him…” Unfortunately, the man loved religion and his wealth more than he loved Jesus.  Jesus loved him right where he was.  Isn’t that how he approaches us?  In our quest for love, Jesus loves us first.  In our misguided love, Jesus loves us first.  In our ability to “figure it all out (and do good things,)  Jesus gives us a solution.  What do we choose today?

R – Heavenly Father, you are Love.  Empower us to see beyond the things we love and adhere to as good to see you in it.  We invite your Holy Spirit to unveil our eyes to see as you see and to love as you love.