“And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and ask him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17).

This young man was serious. He wanted eternal life. Had Jesus set a given price in silver coins he would have dished out the money without batting an eye. Why was he so concerned about his soul? Maybe this was not his first encounter with this remarkable Teacher? Maybe he had previously heard him preach on eternal Life and he wanted that more than anything else in the whole world! What did Jesus say about eternal life?

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

This was not the first time this young man had thought about his soul. He had been extremely religious all his life. He had worshipped at the Temple, or the local Synagogue every Sabbath Day. He had faithfully paid his tithe. He had never been arrested or served time in jail for he had always obeyed the law. When in school he probably had never been sent to the Principle’s Office. Now as a young adult he was an honored citizen.

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest . . .”

Jesus loved him. He loved him enough to put his finger on the sore spot. What was lacking in the life of this rich young man? He didn’t have the love of God in his heart.

The Apostle Paul was able to write, “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost” (Rom. 5:5). This rich young man still lacked something! He lacked compassion! He lived a good, clean, upright life but he was not at all concerned about the less fortunate all about him. He was a living example of man’s best without God. Some were starving -- but, he didn’t bother to feed them; Sick and dying -- but, he didn’t call on them. He saw their weakness but, he didn’t try to help them. Down and out? Too bad! He was busy with his own affairs. Forsaken, he never even thought of befriending the man. Broken-hearted -- it was the pastor’s job to comfort people.

Despondent -- he did not share Salvation’s Plan!

“Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, one thing thou lackest; go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast,, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up thy cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21).

What was that young man’s reaction?

“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).

Think of the beautiful life that young man might have had, and the good he could have done, had he followed Jesus! That poor man thought he wanted eternal life. It may be he desired only a fire-escape from hell.

“Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

“Love never fails. But where there are prophesies, they will cease; whether there be tongues, they will be stilled; whether there be knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophecy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish things behind me. now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I now in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

“And now these three things remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”(ICor.13:1-15 N.I.V.)