At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth — the response is the first refusal of a direct discipleship call in Mark. He went away sad (lypoumenos): the sadness is genuine — he understands what he is refusing and grieves the refusal. Because he had great wealth: the reason for the refusal is exactly the diagnosis Jesus made. The wealth that is his security, identity, and status cannot be surrendered even for eternal life. The thorns of Mark 4:19 — the deceitfulness of wealth — are visible here.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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