The Great Refusal: The Rich Young Ruler and the Barrier of Possessions
The encounter between Jesus and the rich young ruler, recorded in the synoptic Gospels (Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 18:18-23), is one of the most poignant narratives in scripture. It is a powerful Prophetic Hotspot that lays bare the spiritual barrier of wealth and possession, acting as a crucial examination of what true obedience demands.
1. The Inquiry: Seeking Eternal Life (Mark 10:17)
A young man—wealthy, influential, and apparently earnest—came to Jesus with the most profound question possible:
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
— Mark 10:17 (KJV)
Jesus first directed him to the established standard: obedience to the Law. When the young man confidently asserted his lifelong adherence to the commandments (“All these have I observed from my youth,” Mark 10:20, KJV), the true test began. Jesus, looking upon him, showed him both love and the precise point of his spiritual failure.
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest…”
— Mark 10:21 (KJV)
2. The Command: The Cost of Discipleship (Mark 10:21)
The “one thing” the ruler lacked was not more religious activity, but the willingness to surrender his ultimate source of security and trust—his possessions. Jesus’ command was direct, radical, and absolute:
“…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.”
— Mark 10:21 (KJV)
The command had three inseparable parts:
- Surrender: Sell whatsoever thou hast. This was the test of his idolatry.
- Charity: Give to the poor. This proved his love for neighbor.
- Allegiance: Come… and follow me. This established Jesus as his ultimate Master.
The Great Refusal
The tragic response of the young man reveals his true god:
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.”
— Mark 10:22 (KJV)
His wealth was not a blessing, but a barrier. He was willing to do many things for God, but not willing to relinquish his self-security. He valued his temporal assets more than eternal life and the Master’s call.
3. The Warning: The Eye of the Needle (Mark 10:23-25)
Following the young man’s refusal, Jesus delivered one of His most striking and unforgettable warnings about the danger of riches:
“And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! … 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.”
— Mark 10:23, 25 (KJV)
This statement is not an absolute condemnation of wealth, but a powerful commentary on the human heart’s tendency toward idolatry. Riches create a false sense of independence and security, making the wealthy less inclined to rely solely on God for their provision and worth. This dependence on possessions is what makes entry into the Kingdom “hardly” possible.
The Return Question: Security vs. Surrender
How does the Rich Young Ruler’s ultimate refusal to surrender his possessions—despite claiming religious perfection—serve as a critical warning regarding the priorities required of the faithful who await the Lord’s Return, a time when the entire world system of wealth and earthly security will be judged and dismantled?
The story offers a clear answer to The Return Question: the only true security for the believer lies in absolute trust and surrender to the Lord. As the focus of TheLordsReturn.com is on the end of the current age, the ruler’s failure is paramount. Those who cling to the fleeting wealth and security of a world destined for judgment will find themselves unwilling, just like the ruler, to follow Christ completely when the final call is given. The requirement for eternal life is not merely observance of the Law, but a radical, costly, and continuous surrender of all things to the Master.