Grieved Because of Great Possessions - Mark 10:22

Mark wrote when Jesus, “he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor your father and mother. And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing you lack: go your way, sell whatsoever you have, and give to the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me”, and in chapter ten and verse twenty-two of his book, Mark shared how the man, “was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions” where we read:

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

The verse reads, “And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved:” Mark began with the words, “and he was sad” which means “and the man who questioned Jesus concerning eternal life was was gloomy and sorrowful” “at that saying” or “at what Jesus said about selling everything and giving the money to the poor”, “and went away grieved” which means “and left and departed Jesus in an offended and heavy manner”. Mark shared how the man who asked Jesus about inheriting “eternal life” was “gloomy and sorrowful” and went away “offended and heavy”.

The verse goes on to say, “for he had great possessions.” Mark continued with the words, “for he had” which means “because, since and on account that the man held, owned and possessed” “great possessions” or “large amounts and many properties, lands and estates”. Mark shared the reason the man was “sad” and went away “offended and grieved” was because he had many “material possessions”.

When we meditate upon Mark's words in this verse, we see the reaction of the man to what Jesus said. Not only was he “sad”, but he left Jesus “offended and heavy hearted” because he was rich. God provides people with everything they possess, and there is nothing more valuable than “eternal life” with Him. Those who are wise will understand that God sent His Son Jesus to pay the price for the “sins” of mankind, and those “sins” separated people from a relationship with Him. His desire is to live with them forever, and when they yield their lives to Him, nothing on earth is worth leaving Jesus.

Next time Mark shares how Jesus told His disciples, “How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” , so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".