Mk 10:17-30
Jesus perceives that wealth is this man’s “weak spot” and then he tries to have the man realize his personal shortcoming. Therefore, we have to assume that Jesus would not ask us to part with all our possessions. He emphasizes precisely on negative things that we really do not want to give up, or things that we crave for.
Self-righteousness
Jesus realized that the rich man would never give up his possessions and redistribute his wealth. Jesus questions the rich man regarding the commandments and the rich man replies claiming the commandments as examples of his virtuousness: “Teacher, all of these I have observed from my youth.” Perhaps this answer denotes a self-righteousness on his part and a belief that by observing the commandments will be enough to “… inherit eternal life?” Jesus loved him and said to him: “You are lacking in one thing.” Jesus then tells him what he must do: “Go, sell what you have, and give to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.”
After listening to Jesus’ instructions, he leaves sad thinking of his possessions and perhaps, even for a moment considering doing what Jesus has told him to do. Due to the extent of his possessions and wealth and his attachment to them – he cannot do it!
Freedom from possessions
The contrast between the rich man and Jesus’ disciples is noteworthy because at their level they have given up much more than the rich man would have given up. Jesus now must reassure his disciples and he categorically calms their doubts as Peter begins to say: “We have given up everything and followed you.” Jesus tells them that they will be rewarded” …a hundred times more now in this present age, …and an eternal life in the age to come.”
True richness
A lingering thought that might stay with one who reads this story is the rich man leaving crestfallen after Jesus told him what to do. However, in our hearts we wish the cavalry arrives to save him. The rich man must recognize and evaluate the importance between the true and eternal richness versus the temporal worldly richness. The worldly richness banishes and the true richness, the eternal one, is shared to us through Jesus Christ.
To follow Jesus
One must recognize the presence of God in our ordinary life, Jesus is constantly guiding us. He constantly tells us what needs to be done; unfortunately, one might not recognize His guidance. The rich man from the story is a vivid example of what might happen, if one does not recognize true and eternal richness. Just as the rich man who could not understand the direct instructions from Jesus, one may fall in despair and sorrow.
It is important to hear the clear instructions from Jesus, who is constantly guiding us towards Him, towards our Salvation. We need to embrace His loving instructions, detach from the unworthiness of the world and follow Him. If we value the true richness and the eternal happiness in Christ Jesus we would reach our Salvation and eternal happiness.
Luis M. Quesada, Ph.D., professor of Spanish Literature, Miami