Have you ever stood before something good and felt it was asking too much? The rich young man’s question—“What good thing must I do?”—echoes in our hearts because we all want assurance without loss. This story slams into the ache: we long for life that matters, and we bristle at anything that threatens our security. It matters today because comfort and control still seduce us into thinking they can stand in for trust.

In Matthew 19:16–26, Mark 10:17–27, and Luke 18:18–27 a wealthy man runs up to Jesus and asks about eternal life. Jesus first points him to the commandments; the man insists he’s kept them. Then Jesus looks at him with love and tells him to sell everything, give to the poor, and follow—promising treasure in heaven. The man goes away sorrowful because he had great wealth. All three Gospels record the scene; the core is the same, though Matthew phrases the man’s question as “Teacher, what good thing…” while Mark and Luke emphasize the immediacy and the disciples’ astonishment. All three include Jesus’ startling line about a camel and the eye of a needle and conclude with, “With God all things are possible.”

This passage exposes who Jesus is: not merely a moral teacher but the Lord who claims our heart. He refuses superficial answers; he names the idol and offers a way of surrender. That demand is devastating because it cuts to the root: it isn’t about obeying checklists but about ultimate allegiance. Yet the scene is drenched in grace—Jesus doesn’t shame from afar; he meets the man face to face and invites him into a deeper life. The Gospel’s challenge is sharp, but its hope remains: God can reorient what rules our heart.

Today, take a small but honest step. Make a two-column list: “What I won’t give up” and “Why.” Pray over the list, then choose one tangible thing to loosen your grip on this week—give a meaningful sum, cancel a subscription that steals your time, or serve someone poorer. Tell God you’re willing to follow even if it costs something. Let that surrender be a practice of trust, not a one-time test.