There is an interesting passage of Scripture in the Gospel of Mark Chapter 10. It details the story of a certain man, particularly characterized by the title “The Rich Young Ruler”. Who wouldn’t give a limb to bear that title in this generation?

The average youth today wants to be in that exact position! He wants to be Rich while still Young and have a significant measure of Influence… he wants to be a Rich Young Ruler! This guy in Mark 10 is just about the Hero of every youth out there right now.

We need to know that God has no problem making one into a Rich Young Ruler. Trust me, He could do that in our lives overnight with just one post “dreamatic” conversation. We have a good example in Solomon. He became literally the richest man in the then World Economy on the back of one God conversation after a dream. He was young and he was such an influential ruler. God made him who he was. So, trust me, God has no problem with anyone becoming a Rich Young Ruler.

Let’s call this privileged personality in Mark 10 the “RYR”.

What we see in the passage though, was that this RYR had a nagging unrest in his heart. Mark 10 Verse 17, says this RYR came running and knelt down before Jesus to ask “Good Master, what must I do to inherit Eternal Life?”. “What’s my Hero doing on his knees?”, the average youth would ask. The posture of running and kneeling is consistent with that of desperation. It reminds one of a certain Syrophoenician woman who sought for the healing of her Daughter. One thing was apparent about her, she was desperate!

This RYR came with the same desperation. He came to ask Jesus a question his Wealth, Youthfulness and Influence couldn’t answer.

It’s amazing how deceived many people are, to think that Wealth, Youthfulness and Influence could answer all their questions. The desperation in the eyes of this RYR is quite humbling. A man of means, affluence and pedigree ran up to Jesus in a public space and knelt before Him, in desperate need of an answer he was sure he couldn’t get any other way.

Listen friends, the Answers Jesus gives, Nothing else gives them! No one else gives them! Nowhere else gives them!

Jesus initially teased him by giving the regular religious response; obey this, do that, attend this, give that, pay this, pray that and so on. But the RYR was done with all that. He had been doing those religious things since he was a child and he could tell there was no life in them. His life hadn’t so changed!! Hmmn!! Is there a change much bigger, better and bolder than getting Richer, Younger and More Famous and Influential? With religion, this guy was already everything the average 21st Century Youth is desperately looking for, but he didn’t stop at being a RYR, he wanted more, so he ran after the Answer that truly satisfies.

Leaving the country for “greener pastures” will not Satisfy, but Finding Jesus will.

Becoming a Millionaire will not Satisfy, but Finding Jesus will.

Becoming so Famous you almost want to meet yourself, will not Satisfy, but Finding Jesus will.

But when you find Him, will you run towards Him and kneel? Or will you turn away from Him and squirm?

Jesus is calling you to Himself today, will you answer Him? He wants to sup with you… Rev 3:20.

Another beautiful thing we see in this amazing passage of Scripture is how Jesus eventually answers him.

“And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.” — Mark 10:20‭-‬22 KJV

The Bible says that the response of Jesus was purely from a place of Love. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said…” It’s interesting to note that this man went away sad after such a Love-inspired answer from Jesus!

One moment, Jesus loved him and said to him… the next moment, he went away sad!

Listen friends, we’re in a generation that seem to have completely lost touch with candour. What we have in many circles are an army of softies who have no stomach for hard knocks and candid truth. There are people in our generation who will put Jesus in a dock over that conversation He had with the RYR. “If You loved him, why let him leave sad? Shouldn’t love empathise?? Why can’t you see that giving to the poor was not his truth? Instead of imposing your truth on him, you should have let him live by his truth!”

They are the ones masquerading demonic agendas in the name of empathy, inclusion and diversity. Fancy words don’t reduce the concentration of demonic toxicity inherent in an agenda sponsored by hell.

There are too many people we have embraced and told “it’s okay”, when it was not okay because that was not the Truth and hence that was not Love. Love sometimes will allow people walk away sad, just so that they can have the chance to have a real conversation with Truth.

The Sound of Love is Truth, while the Garment of Truth must be Love!

“but speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things…” — Ephesians 4:15a KJV

Sometimes, the most loving thing you can do to people is to confront them with The Truth. Never, on the basis of your assumption of how you think someone might feel about truth, deny them of it! Love them enough to tell them the truth.

Jesus told the RYR the truth and we have no record that he ever returned to follow Jesus. But Jesus Loved him still.

Love is not “gumbody”! Sometimes at the risk of being walked out on, Love speaks the Truth nonetheless!!

None of us is a better lover than Jesus and He is the ultimate standard. So, let us love like Jesus does by telling people the Gospel Truth with no fear of embarrassment or abandonment. In the end, they receiving Truth, but rejecting you, will leave them better off that they being with you but bereft of Truth.

The Season of Revival is upon The Body. It shall be a Season of Bold declaration of Truth with no fear or timidity. The way The Apostles spoke with Boldness in Acts 3 and 4 and foundations began to clatter… Such boldness is upon The Body! We are in that season!

Will you enlist in that Army of Truth Bearers?

Have a productive week ahead.

Dami Oguntunde
@damioguntunde