“He Tried Seriously but Ended Sorrowfully”

A Devotional on the Rich Young Ruler
Based on Mark 10:17–22
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:22 (KJV)
Few encounters with Jesus are as tragic as the story of the rich young ruler.
This man was not careless, immoral, or openly rebellious. In many ways, he was admirable — disciplined, sincere, morally upright, and spiritually interested.
Yet he walked away from Jesus sorrowfully.
Not because Christ rejected him, but because he could not surrender completely.
The Man Who Came Running
Mark says:
“There came one running…” — Mark 10:17
This reveals earnestness. He was spiritually concerned. He came respectfully, urgently, and publicly asking:
“Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
Many people ignore eternal questions. This man did not.
A Moral Yet Unsurrendered Life
The ruler declared:
“All these have I observed from my youth.” — Mark 10:20
Outwardly, his life appeared disciplined and successful. But morality can conceal inward attachment.
Then comes one of the most tender verses in Scripture:
“Then Jesus beholding him loved him…” — Mark 10:21
Before confronting him, Jesus loved him.
Christ’s hard words are often acts of mercy. God exposes what He intends to redeem.
“One Thing Thou Lackest”
Jesus said:
“One thing thou lackest…”
Not many things — one thing.
The issue was not merely wealth. Scripture contains wealthy men who honored God. The real problem was ownership.
The ruler possessed wealth, but wealth also possessed him.
Jesus touched the hidden throne of his heart.
The Saddest Part
“And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved…”
He came running but left grieving.
Why?
Because he desired eternal life without full surrender.
That same struggle remains today:
salvation without surrender,
Christianity without sacrifice,
Jesus as helper, but not Lord.
Respectable Idolatry
The frightening part of the story is that his idol looked respectable.
Some idols appear sinful immediately. Others appear admirable:
success,
achievement,
influence,
security,
reputation.
Yet anything placed above obedience to God becomes dangerous.
Jesus Always Touches the Untouched Area
Jesus goes beyond surface religion. He touches:
hidden idols,
secret dependencies,
unsurrendered loyalties.
For one person it may be money. For another:
pride,
ambition,
relationships,
control,
unforgiveness.
The real question is not: “Do I have religion?”
But: “What can I not release if Jesus asks for it?”
Nearness Is Not Surrender
The rich young ruler teaches a sobering truth:
You can be:
morally disciplined,
emotionally moved,
close to Jesus,
interested in truth,
and still walk away unchanged.
Admiration is not discipleship.
Why Did Jesus Ask for So Much?
Because partial surrender cannot produce full freedom.
Jesus was not trying to destroy the man. He was trying to free him.
But the ruler saw surrender as loss instead of liberation.
He protected temporary riches while eternal treasure stood before him.
Practical Application
Ask God to reveal hidden idols.
Do not confuse morality with surrender.
Obey quickly when God convicts.
Measure success spiritually, not merely outwardly.
Remember that Jesus confronts what He wants to redeem.
Final Reflection
The rich young ruler is haunting because he came so close.
He came sincerely. He listened seriously. He was loved deeply.
Yet he walked away sorrowfully.
Not because Jesus was unwilling to receive him, but because he would not release what stood between them.
And the question still echoes today:
What is the “one thing” that competes with complete surrender to Christ?