Who was the rich young ruler?

He was a wealthy, sincere young man who came to Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life, having kept the commandments from his youth (Mark 10, also Matthew 19 and Luke 18).

Why did the rich young ruler go away sad?

Because Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him, and the man had great wealth (Mark 10:22). He could not let go of what had a hold on him.

What does the rich young ruler teach?

That Jesus meets sincere seekers with love and truth, naming what holds us back. It also shows that salvation is impossible by our own effort but possible with God (Mark 10:27). Read it in Mark chapter 10.

Meet Jesus

The Rich Young Ruler: When You Cannot Let Go

A good, sincere, wealthy young man ran to Jesus asking how to have eternal life. He had kept the commandments since childhood. Jesus looked at him and loved him, and named the one thing he was gripping too tightly: his wealth. The man went away sad, because he had great possessions. It is one of the few times someone walked away, and Jesus let him, still loving him.

If this is you

If you are drawn to Jesus but there is something you are afraid to let go of, some security or comfort or version of your life you cannot imagine surrendering, this man understands. He was not wicked. He was close. And Jesus did not chase or shame him. He loved him, told him the truth, and let him wrestle with it.

The story

A rich young man ran up and knelt before Jesus, asking what he must do to inherit eternal life. He said he had kept all the commandments from his youth. Jesus, the Gospel says, looked at him with love, and then told him the one thing he lacked.

“Then 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 the cross, and follow me.”

Mark 10:21

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

Mark 10:22

“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:27

What this shows about Jesus

The most tender line is easy to miss: Jesus, beholding him, loved him. The hard word came from love, not disapproval. Jesus saw that the man's wealth had a grip on him, and offered to free him from it. And when the man walked away, Jesus did not manipulate or beg. He told the truth and let him go, then said what looks impossible for us is possible with God. The invitation stays open even to those who walk away first.

Frequently asked questions

Who was the rich young ruler?: He was a wealthy, sincere young man who came to Jesus asking how to inherit eternal life, having kept the commandments from his youth (Mark 10, also Matthew 19 and Luke 18).
Why did the rich young ruler go away sad?: Because Jesus told him to sell his possessions, give to the poor, and follow him, and the man had great wealth (Mark 10:22). He could not let go of what had a hold on him.
What does the rich young ruler teach?: That Jesus meets sincere seekers with love and truth, naming what holds us back. It also shows that salvation is impossible by our own effort but possible with God (Mark 10:27). Read it in Mark chapter 10.

Read it yourself. Do not take our word for it. The whole scene is right there in the Gospel: Mark 10 → Read slowly, and watch what Jesus actually does.

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Come and see for yourself

Whatever you are gripping, Jesus is not asking to impoverish you but to free you. He looked at the rich young man and loved him, and he looks at you the same way. What is impossible for you is possible with God.

You do not have to believe anything yet. Just come and look at him with an open heart, the way the people in these stories did. He still draws near to everyone who comes.

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Jesus Christ is Lord.

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