These are the five commands that Jesus gives to the earnest young man who seeks eternal life. (see Mark 10.17ff) As the story unfolds we learn that he is an observant Jew; he knows, pays attention to and (in his estimation) is obedient to God's commands.
He is respectful of Jesus. He kneels before Jesus, recognizing him as a Great Teacher. One could interpret his desire for eternal life to be his attempt to be truly faithful, truly obedient. He might be seeking a way to seek even greater perfection.
We could speculate that Jesus was aware of this; the quality of the young man's clothes would have indicated that he was wealthier than the average guy. For those who believe that Jesus knew everything about those around him, then it is easy to believe that Jesus knew how rich this guy was.
Which also means Jesus knew that in the end he would never be able to do it. Jesus knew that this requirement that you leave behind all that separates you from God and, therefore, separates you from eternal life was one requirement that this young man could not meet. He couldn't do it.
Yet Jesus loved him. This detail comes only in Mark's version of this story. Mark tells us, "Jesus, looking at him, loved him." Before he even gave the commands to Go. Sell. Give. Come. Follow. Jesus knew that this young man couldn't......and yet Jesus' love was not diminished.
"Jesus, looking at him, loved him." Before the young man turned away. Before the young man rejected Jesus' offer of both treasure in heaven and eternal life, Jesus, looking at him, loved him.
This is the Good News to me. This is the love on which I depend. This is Grace with a capital G.
He is the only person in all of Mark who, although personally invited by Jesus to follow, turns away. Yet Jesus' love remains.
What else can we learn from this ancient story?
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