Love Looks Deeper

 Mark 10:21

 “Jesus looked at him and Loved Him”.

 I think of the days when I'm expected to do for someone. I’m not sure if the expectations are self-imposed or if they are indeed true. I have often felt like I come up short not living up to those expectations and when that is true the desire is to run for cover fills my mind with a feel of panic. I don’t feel like a leader most of the time and yet the Lord continues to put me in situations and among people who allow me to gain influence, yet I can’t help feel they could always do much better.

 Mark 10:21 speaks of The Rich Young Ruler. Mark writes that “Jesus looked at him and loved him”. I imagine this young man of influence poised himself asking Jesus the all-encompassing question, “what must I do to inherit eternal life”? Did he actually want the answer or was it expected of him to ask such a question in front of those who looked to him as an influencer?

 Jesus knowing all things; and knowing what is in the hearts of men “looked at him and loved him.”
 I’m taken by this statement because I sense a love that is sincere and loves for the purity of love. Looking deeply beyond what words say, I imagine Jesus peering into the eyes of the young man, his heart weighing heavy knowing the young man, the boy inside, like most of us, couldn’t give himself over to the requirements of a yielded heart to God.

 Jesus knew the limitations of his heart. Many times we come to the Lord wanting more but Jesus sees what holds us back even when we don’t. He knows just how far we are willing to go to get what we want, he then asks for more because he wants us to sacrifice what we prize more than him, when we come. Jesus knows where our affections are divided, where the will of God will be laid down as we embrace what we love more than him. His desire is our full affection.

 Hearing the words “One thing you lack” shakes me to the core of my manhood. Jesus knows me intimately; he knows my shortcomings and what I hold like a poker hand. His face is soothing to my spirit when I know “He looks at me and loves me”. He will always call me to an intimate relationship with him because that’s his greatest desire. He gave everything to connect with me.

 The Rich Young Man asked Jesus for the how to book on inheriting eternal life. He was the one who turned away not Jesus.

My heart is stronger because I know even in my short comings His love is steadfast.

 The question that probes my heart is what value do I place on my relationship with him?

 Am I ready to do what he asks, when he asks? Mark 10:21 causes me to think that he is patiently waiting for me to make the right choice, he isn’t impatiently tapping his foot thinking I should know better by now and should have the ability to act on a moment’s notice. He waits as "he looks at me and loves me."

 He stands at the door and knocks, he doesn’t barge his way in. I’m thankful he recognizes sometimes I need a moment because I don’t always do what is expected.