“Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, well whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 10:21).
A rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked Jesus what He should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus’ reply to the man was to pick up the cross and follow Jesus.
In other words, “Come, obtain My knowledge. Come after Me – accept Me as the authority of your life and obey Me. Come and copy after Me, imitate me, and keep your mind on Me.”
As you go on to read in Mark 10:22, the man went away sad because of all his possessions. He missed out on a number of things.
He looked at following Jesus as a loss and not a gain. He looked at parting with His riches as a loss and not a gain. You should be encouraged today to follow the Lord. You will gain as you accept Him as your final authority.
One thing you get when you follow Jesus is you, through Jesus, will minister to your family. When you follow Jesus, His power is available to minister to all of your loved ones (Matt. 8:14-15).
Sometimes when you follow Jesus, storms will arise in life. Satan will come to steal, kill and destroy you if you let him. However, if you keep following Jesus, peace and calm will come to your life.
The circumstances of life have no power that can stand against the power behind the Name of Jesus. The problems are not greater than the Word of God. The circumstances are not greater than the Holy Ghost. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
So if you are experiencing some tests and trials, then keep following the Lord. Keep following Him because the blessings are coming your way.
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Keith Butler has been an ordained minister since 1974. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and holds diplomas from Canada Christian College and Rhema Bible Training Center.
He serves in ministry with the support of his lovely wife, Pastor Deborah L. Butler, and their children: Pastor Andre Butler (granddaughters Alexis, Angela, and April), Pastor MiChelle Ferguson and husband Pastor Lee (grandson Lucas), and Minister Kristina Jenkins and husband Pastor Joel (grandsons Andrew and Austin, and granddaughter Alyssa).