It’s a Very Narrow Road…a Very, Very Narrow Road (Part 10b)

It’s a Very Narrow Road…a Very, Very Narrow Road (Part 10b)

October 15, 2026

The View From Above — Thoughts to Help With Everyday Life

By Pastor Paul Stephens

He’s a prominent figure, although we don’t have his name. At least I think he’s prominent. His account is mentioned in three of the four Gospels. The incident made an impression on three of the Gospel writers.

He was young, he was rich, and he came running to Jesus. Apparently, Jesus had made an impression on this rich young ruler.

The question is: How far is he willing to go in his pursuit of God’s will for his life?

Well, not far enough.

The account is a sad testament to people who make a willful decision not to follow Jesus because it will cost too much.

The disciples were impressed with this rich young man. Not a lot of men like him were running to Jesus.

Mark 10:17 — “Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Jesus, ‘Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?’”

It looks like he’s poised to do whatever it takes, except he isn’t.

He was what we would call a good young man, raised in a religious home, knew the Ten Commandments, and claimed to obey them.

Sounds like he’s on his way to following Jesus, and then…

Mark 10:21–22 — “Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.’ But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.”

“Whoa, pump the brakes already…I didn’t mean that!” said the rich young ruler.

He simply was looking for affirmation for what he was already doing. He wants no part of paying a price, no part of a narrow gate.

He’s got too much stuff, and he knew it just wouldn’t fit.

Jesus said to him: Unburden yourself, and come and follow Me.

Think of the destiny and purpose he walked away from. What he was unwilling to let go of would only satisfy temporarily. Jesus was offering him earthly purpose, calling, and eternal destiny.

He missed out on both.

Sad, very sad, very, very sad.

How many do the same?

Unwilling to let go of something valuable to you in order to fit through the narrow gate of God’s will.

The disciples are watching this scene play out, and they’re offended.

Jesus, what are You doing? This young man wants to follow You. Why are You making it so hard? Why not let him keep his riches and follow You?

Jesus took the opportunity to speak truth to His disciples.

Mark 10:23–25 — “Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, ‘How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were astonished at His words. But Jesus answered again and said to them, ‘Children, how hard it is for those who TRUST IN RICHES to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.’”

The problem was not being rich. Plenty of good people in the Bible were wealthy: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and Solomon, to name a few. And they were rich because God blessed them.

The problem with this young man is that he trusted in his riches.

He had no real relationship with God born of love, faith, and trust. That’s why Jesus said what He said to him.

His confidence was not in God but in his material possessions. In order to make heaven his home, he needed a relationship with Jesus born of trust.

Jesus is saying: Trust Me with your future.

Jesus uses hyperbole here.

Verse 25: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

Meaning, it’s impossible to trust in something other than God Himself as your primary source and make heaven your home. It would be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.

So then, you have to rid yourself of whatever it is that you trust in, in order to put Jesus first.

With this rich young ruler, Jesus would never be first unless he unburdened himself.

That is what we all must do.

We should examine ourselves from time to time and see if there isn’t something present in our lives that is interfering with our ability to trust and serve Jesus supremely.

Something is interfering with our ability to do the will of God. We’re compromising in order to accommodate that something.

Wouldn’t it be better to unburden yourself?

I think so.