You lack one thing

Mark 10:17-31
The Rich Man 
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Mark%2010%3A17-31&version=NRSVUE
 
“You lack one thing.” Imagine Jesus speaking directly to you, and that is what he says. How would you respond? I think I would be taken aback at first because we don’t like to hear what we lack, especially from Jesus, but then, I’d probably ask, “Only one thing? I only lack one thing? Wow, I’m crushing it!”
 
This scripture includes a very important detail about Jesus’ words. He said them lovingly. Jesus looked intently at the man to answer his question thoughtfully, and verse 21 tells us that he genuinely loved the man. Jesus’ intent was not to condemn him or shame him for being wealthy, but to truthfully answer his question in a loving way. I think it’s hard for us to tell those we love truthful answers like this because we don’t want to hurt them. Jesus models for us that loving someone requires us to speak hard truths in loving ways.
 
Even so, the rich man was not open to Jesus’ words. For someone who had many possessions, he was not open to hearing what he lacked or what he had to do to receive what he lacked. He went away shocked and grieving perhaps because he finally experienced what it felt like to be in need. We don’t know if he followed Jesus’ instructions. This verse makes us believe he didn’t since he went away, but perhaps he needed time to process and actually do what Jesus told him to do. In fact, there were specific things that Jesus told him to do to inherit eternal life, and it would take time to do them.
 
If he was to go and sell what he owned, it would take time to do that, especially since he had many possessions. Notice Jesus didn’t tell him to give away his possessions. He instructed the man to sell them, and then give the money to the poor. Jesus saw how valuable money can be to serve those in need.
 
Since the rich man had a lot of earthly treasures, what was that the “one thing” that he lacked? Jesus’ instructions actually involved many parts, so what was the “one thing?” Verse 21 said, “…(1) go, (2) sell what you own, and (3) give the money to the poor, … (4) then come, follow me.” Go, sell, give, come, follow, which are many actions that seem like more than one thing. Are they all part of the “one thing?”
 
Is it eternal life? That’s what the man seems to think he lacks. Is it “treasure in heaven?” That’s the phrase Jesus used if he would “go, sell, and give.” Does he lack a generous heart? Does he lack empathy for the plight of the poor? Does he lack a desire for sacrifice since he probably inherited his wealth?
 
The rich man didn’t lack faith. He confessed to following the commandments, and he knows who Jesus is since he is there asking him face-to-face how to inherit eternal life. Perhaps he realized that following some of the commandments was not enough to receive eternal life. Perhaps he realized that there was something more “to do” since he probably didn’t do much to receive his inheritance so far. An inheritance is something one receives without work or sacrifice. The man had certainly come to a point in his life when he realized that he did lack something despite all of his earthly possessions. So, what was it?
 
Was it Jesus? Was it being willing to give up his earthly treasures to receive spiritual treasure? The desire to give sacrificially? Was it shifting his focus from himself to others and Jesus, or shifting his focus from material wealth to spiritual wealth? Certainly all of these could be wrapped up in the one thing he lacked.
 
What do you think the man was lacking? Spend some time reflecting on this scripture, and determine for yourself what the rich man lacked. Remember, when we find ourselves in a time of need, a time when we lack one thing, or many things, or many parts of one thing, Jesus looks at us lovingly and tells us what we can do to receive what we lack. Go to Jesus, and ask him what you must do to receive it.  
 
Reflection Questions:
What do you think the man was lacking? What are you lacking?
When Jesus looks at you lovingly, what would he say you lack? Would you be open to hearing what you lack?
What would he tell you to do to receive it?
 
Pray:
Help me, Jesus, to be open to your loving words.
 
Action:
Give to the poor or someone in need this week as an act to follow Jesus.
 
*New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America.