Mark 10:17-22

17 As he was starting out on a trip, a man came running up to Jesus, knelt down, and asked, "Good Teacher, what should I do to get eternal life?"

18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus asked. "Only God is truly good.  19 But as for your question, you know the commandments: 'Do not murder. Do not commit adultery. Do not steal. Do not testify falsely. Do not cheat. Honor your father and mother. " 

20 "Teacher," the man replied, "I've obeyed all these commandments since I was a child."

21 Jesus felt genuine love for this man as he looked at him. "You lack only one thing," he told him. "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."  22 At this, the man's face fell, and he went sadly away because he had many possessions.  (NLT)

Jesus knew this man’s heart, “you know the commandments” and He knew this man’s life. He did not ask a lot of questions because He knew the answers already and He also knew what was lacking in his life as well. Jesus went right at the core of this man’s life and listed some of the commandments to him. The man basically said “I am a good person and I have kept God's standard." Can just being a good person save you? No. Can just keeping God’s standards save you? No. Jesus went for the man’s core, selfishness. The man lived for himself and his possessions. It defined who he was in his eyes. But Jesus wants the heart and this man’s heart was not in the right place and Jesus knew it. Jesus says deny yourself and come follow me. It is about giving up what you want for Jesus. It is about surrendering to Christ what rightfully belongs to Him, you. He died for you, He was buried for you and He rose from the grave for you, therefore He has the right over you. But Jesus is not going to force Himself on you but gives you a choice to accept Him or reject Him. Even after you have received Him as your Savior you still try to hide things from Him but He knows you, knows your heart and He wants your heart. He loves you and wants what is best for you so give Him your heart and live for Him. Don’t let things get in the way of your relationship with Jesus. When we are living for Him this makes Him smile.

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