The Cost of Following Jesus: Lessons from the Rich Young Ruler (Mark 10:17–31)
If Jesus asked you to give up something you love—would you do it?
In Mark 10:17–31, we meet a man who had everything: wealth, success, and a good reputation. He seemed to be doing all the right things. But when Jesus asked him to make one big choice, he walked away. This powerful story teaches us what it really means to follow Jesus—and why it’s sometimes hard.
Let’s take a closer look at what happened.
A Man With a Big Question
As Jesus was walking, a man came running up to Him. He knelt down and asked:
“Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
It was a sincere question. This man truly wanted to know how to live forever with God. Jesus replied by pointing him to the commandments—things like “Don’t steal,” “Don’t lie,” “Honor your parents.”
The man responded, “I’ve kept all these since I was young!”
It sounds impressive, right? He was polite, moral, and religious. But Jesus knew there was something deeper going on.
Jesus’ Loving Challenge
Then comes one of the most touching verses in the Bible:
“Jesus looked at him and loved him.”
Jesus wasn’t trying to trap or embarrass him. He truly cared for this man. But then Jesus said something surprising:
“There’s one thing you lack. Go, sell everything you have and give it to the poor. Then come, follow me.”
That was the moment of truth. The man had asked how to receive eternal life—but when it came time to choose between his wealth and Jesus, he couldn’t let go.
The Bible says he went away sad because he had great wealth.
Why Wealth Can Be Dangerous
After the man walked away, Jesus turned to His disciples and said something that shocked them:
“How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
In those days (and often today), people believed that wealth meant God’s blessing. So the disciples were confused—if rich people can’t make it, who can?
Then Jesus gave a powerful image:
“It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.”
A camel through a needle? That sounds impossible. And that’s the point.
But Jesus followed up with this comforting truth:
“With man it is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God.”
In other words, we can’t earn our way into heaven—not with good behavior, not with money, not with effort. Only God can make it possible through His grace.
A Question From Peter, and a Promise from Jesus
Peter, one of Jesus’ closest followers, spoke up:
“We’ve left everything to follow you!”
He had a point. The disciples had walked away from their jobs, families, and homes. Would it be worth it?
Jesus reassured him:
“No one who has left home or family or fields for me will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this life—along with hardships—and in the age to come, eternal life.”
Yes, following Jesus comes with a cost. But it also comes with amazing rewards—now and forever.
Jesus ended with this thought:
“Many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
God’s kingdom doesn’t work the way the world does. Success, wealth, and status don’t get you in. Humility, faith, and trust in God do.
What This Means for Us Today
1. Eternal life isn’t something you can earn.
The rich man thought doing good things was enough. But Jesus showed that we need to surrender our hearts—not just follow the rules.
2. What’s holding you back?
For this man, it was money. For us, it might be comfort, pride, relationships, or control. Jesus may not ask all of us to sell everything, but He does ask for our full trust.
3. Following Jesus is worth the cost.
There may be sacrifice, but there’s also joy, peace, and eternal life. Jesus promises that whatever we give up for Him will be repaid many times over—both now and forever.
Final Thoughts
This story leaves us with an important question:
What is the one thing you’re holding onto that might be keeping you from fully following Jesus?
Don’t walk away like the rich man. Instead, take the next step. Trust that Jesus is worth more than anything you could ever give up.
He sees you, He loves you—and He’s inviting you to follow Him.
Mark 10:17-31 (WEB)
10:17 As he was going out into the way, one ran to him, knelt before him, and asked him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”18 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except one—God. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not give false testimony,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and mother.’ ”20 He said to him, “Teacher, I have observed all these things from my youth.”21 Jesus looking at him loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack. Go, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me, taking up the cross.”22 But his face fell at that saying, and he went away sorrowful, for he was one who had great possessions.23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it is for those who have riches to enter into God’s Kingdom!”24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus answered again, “Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter into God’s Kingdom! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter into God’s Kingdom.”26 They were exceedingly astonished, saying to him, “Then who can be saved?”27 Jesus, looking at them, said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God, for all things are possible with God.”28 Peter began to tell him, “Behold, we have left all and have followed you.”29 Jesus said, “Most certainly I tell you, there is no one who has left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or land, for my sake, and for the sake of the Good News, 30 but he will receive one hundred times more now in this time: houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and land, with persecutions; and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”