Jesus does not just ask us to let go of things. He invites us to come closer to Him. Many times our hearts are full of things that seem important, safe, or comforting, but Jesus offers us something far better—His love, His presence, and a life built on trust in Him. Following Jesus is not only about giving something up. It is about drawing near to the One who loves us completely and will never fail us.
“Then Jesus, beholding him, loved him, and said: ‘One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’” – Mark 10:21
“With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” – Mark 10:27
“Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.” – John 6:68
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord… that I may win Christ.” – Philippians 3:8
One beautiful part of this story is that Jesus looked at the rich young ruler and loved him. Before Jesus said something difficult, He showed love first. He was not trying to embarrass the man or make him feel small. He was showing him what was keeping him from true freedom. That is how Jesus works with us too. His love goes straight to the places where we are stuck, not to shame us, but to help us be free.
For that young man, money was not just money. It had become the thing that made him feel secure. It gave him a sense of identity and something to depend on when he felt afraid. Jesus was not simply asking him to give away possessions. He was asking him to trust God more than his wealth. We may not struggle with riches in the same way, but we all have something we hold on to too tightly. It may be control, comfort, success, approval, or our own plans. Whatever we place above Jesus will keep our hearts from fully resting in Him.
This is where the words of Jesus bring both challenge and comfort. On our own, we do not have the strength to let go of everything that competes for our hearts. We hold tightly to control. We fear surrender. We pull back when obedience feels hard. But Jesus does not leave us alone in that weakness. He reminds us, “With men it is impossible, but not with God.” God gives us the help, strength, and grace we need to take the steps we could never take by ourselves.
Following Jesus is not just about giving things up. It is about gaining something greater—Jesus Himself. It is coming to the place where we can honestly say, “Lord, where else would I go? You have the words of eternal life.” As we grow closer to Him, we begin to see that knowing Christ is worth more than anything we leave behind. What once felt too hard starts to look beautiful when our hearts see how valuable He truly is.
How to Live This Out Every Day
• Ask God to show you if there is anything in your life that you are holding on to more tightly than Him.
Bring your fears, your plans, and your need to stay in control to Him in honest prayer.
· Take one quiet step of obedience where Jesus is asking for your trust.
· Remember that what feels impossible in your weakness is held within God’s power.
· Keep your eyes on Christ, not only on what He asks you to lay down.
Jesus still looks on people with love, and He still says, “Follow Me.” His call may uncover the very thing we have leaned on besides Him, but it is always a call of mercy. He never asks us to open our hands so He can leave them empty. He asks us to open them so He can fill them with more of Himself. And when Christ becomes our treasure, surrender no longer feels like losing everything—it begins to feel like coming home.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that when You look at me, You do not turn away in disappointment, but draw near in love. You see every place where I still cling to comfort, security, and control. You know what I am afraid to surrender, and You know how weak I am without You. Please search my heart and show me what stands in the way of following You more fully. In the places where I resist, soften me. In the places where I am afraid, steady me. In the places where obedience feels too costly, remind me that You are worth more than all I must lay down. Give me grace to trust You, courage to follow You, and faith to believe that what is impossible with me is possible with God. Let my heart find its rest in You alone. Amen.
Be still before the Lord and ask: What am I still holding more tightly than Jesus, and what would it look like to trust Him with it today?
Minister A Francine Green I June 2026