The Price of Discipleship

By Brother Mack

In Mark 10 Jesus interacts with the rich young man. I contend that this man may not have been young in age but young in spiritual maturity. In verse 17, this young man comes with his friends and calls Jesus "Good Master," yet Jesus challenges this title. The young man also asks what he can do to gain eternal life and further explains that he already keeps the commandments.

What I find interesting about this interaction is that Jesus lists what I see as the neighborly commandments:  no adultery, no killing, no stealing, don’t bear false witness, defraud not, and honor thy parents. Jesus skips the first four commandments, which focus solely on God:  no other gods, no idols, bow not to other gods/idols, and take not God's name in vain. This rich young man switched up the two great commandments – love God first, love neighbor second – and Jesus perceived it.
 
I love what Jesus said in verse 21 to the young man – to rid himself of those things that he greatly valued and take up the cross and follow Him. He was not asked to take up his cross until he had been asked to give up that which was of most importance to him.

What are the things in our lives that we need to give up to be true disciples of Jesus Christ? Elder Maxwell said in the pathway of discipleship, littering is permissible and even encouraged, meaning we rid ourselves of those unnecessary sins and/or transgressions that slow us down. We cannot hold a cross and hold onto other things at the same time.

​We should place ourselves in this story as the rich young man and ask ourselves if we will take up our cross and follow Jesus. I like to believe this rich young man, being very human, gave great thought and pondered how he should change, and later, down the road, did what Jesus asked. Jesus would be delighted and accepting of this young man returning at any time. Jesus wants all to return.