WholeheartedSample

The guy in this story seemingly has everything: he’s young, he’s a ruler, and most of all, he’s rich. And yet, Jesus said he lacked one thing.

It can seem a bit confusing at first: did Jesus actually want him to go and sell everything?

The young ruler’s possessions were keeping him from following Jesus wholeheartedly. He had done everything he thought he needed to do to obtain eternal life – and yet, Jesus asked him to sell everything first and then follow Him.

There was something in this guy’s life keeping him from fully surrendering to Jesus, and Jesus asked him to give it all up for Him. Verse 9 says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him,” and in His love for the young man, He gave him a choice.

Following Jesus wholeheartedly means putting Jesus as King in our lives, not something or someone else. There are so many things that can hinder us from following Jesus wholeheartedly, not just wealth, or possessions. When we allow someone or something else to have more influence in our lives than Jesus, we’re giving portions of our heart away, and we’re not following Jesus wholeheartedly.

We have to put Jesus in His rightful place as the King of our hearts and lives. When Jesus explained this story to His disciples, they were astounded. They marvelled at who could possibly enter the kingdom of God. But Jesus assured them, “All things are possible with God.”

All things are possible with God. Jesus looks at you and loves you, and in this love, He gives you a choice.

You can choose to follow Jesus wholeheartedly, placing Him as the King of your life, knowing that with Him all things are possible.

Consider if Jesus is actually the King of your life, and if there’s anything you might need to surrender to Him. Take a few moments to re-surrender.