Mark 10:20-21 (ESV) – And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.”

One of the most famous songs in the world, sung by many generations, is “Jesus Loves Me.” In the song, the declaration is that Jesus loves us and we know this because the Bible teaches us. If Jesus is just a man, then that love for us is not that significant. But if Jesus is who He says He is, God in the flesh, then the declaration that Jesus loves us is unbelievable. 

We see this in our passage today. The story of the rich young ruler has many applications. Some emphasize the young man’s claim that he kept all the law (which was unlikely). Others talk about his unwillingness to part with his possessions. But today’s emphasis is on the statement Mark makes about Jesus’ love. We read, “And he said to him, ‘Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.’ And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.’”

Notice the statement in the middle of the passage, “Jesus, looking at him, loved him.” This is someone that Jesus is meeting for the first time during His incarnation. But Jesus is the eternal Son of God. He knows this young man because He is his maker. But in addition to knowing this man for all of eternity, Jesus’ compassion for sinners is shown by His love for the rich young man despite his struggles. 

The love of Christ for sinners should encourage us. We read this passage and imagine the stubbornness of the young man. Yet Jesus loves him anyway. Jesus sees past the actions alone and understands his weaknesses. He knows the young man doesn’t understand. Jesus isn’t going to coerce him or force him to follow Him, but this doesn’t change the fact that Jesus loves him. 

Take heart that Jesus loves you today. It is an incredible thing to consider. He’s known us from all of eternity. He created us. But Jesus’ love for us goes beyond knowledge and compassion for us, it is shown most perfectly through His death on the cross for our sins.

Jesus' great love for us
is seen in His sacrifice.
Give thanks today for Jesus’ love for you.
Bask in it. Reflect on it. It is a certain fact.

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Reflection & Journal: 
- Why is Jesus’ love a surprising feature in this passage?
- What does this passage teach us about Jesus' nature?
- How should this text encourage us today?

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