Day 23: Regrets

 

Mark 10:17-22

“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Comments

Here was a man who seemingly had it all, and yet knew he lacked something essential. Jesus looked at him and loved him in spite of his misplaced priorities.

Jesus made no attempt to convince this man of the foolishness of his choice; he saw the man’s regret and let him go back to ‘the good life’ he was living.

Reflections

This passage is often interpreted by saying this man had the wrong attitude toward wealth. What is the right attitude. Do you have it?

When someone expresses doubt or hesitancy, do you try to change their mind? Does this ever work?

Prayer

Help me accept, Lord, that some who show interest in your kingdom are not yet ready to pay the price to live within it.