In this third and final post on Mark 10:17-31, Peter thought about what he'd just witnessed. Jesus had challenged a wealthy young man to sell everything and follow him. The task was too tall, and the young man departed. The rich young ruler hadn't left everything, but Peter realized he and the other disciples had. And he felt he had to tell Jesus about it—*just saying, Jesus*.

In our previous post in Mark, we saw the rich young ruler leave Jesus because he loved his possessions. Once the man went away in sorrow, Jesus spoke to his disciples (23). He ruminated on the hindrance wealth can be, keeping someone from entering the kingdom (23, 25). He said it is difficult to enter the kingdom of God! (24). It's hard enough as it is, but wealth creates a whole other obstacle.  

Our story begins with a man desperate for Jesus. The other gospels tell us he was a young local ruler (Matthew 19:20, Luke 18:18). Even though he had wealth and power, he felt something was missing. And he suspected Jesus had the answers. He was desperate for help, so he ran and knelt before the Lord (17). "Good teacher," he asked Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" (17).