Mark chapter 10 verses 20-22 (NIV)
“Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
Some people’s faces can be quite expressive can’t they. We can read what they’re feeling by what we can see written on their faces, whilst others give nothing away. Some also try to hide their true feelings by trying to put on a face, or hiding behind a mask. As a young woman, when I was interviewed for my “dream” job at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh, I was convinced that I wouldn’t get the job because my future boss, who would become a mentor and very dear friend, seemed not to be impressed with me. She was brusque and abrupt; I thought that maybe she didn’t like my ideas and opinions. Nevertheless, I got the job, and discovered later that she hated interviewing people. This normally confident and warm-hearted woman didn’t like the idea of making such an important decision based on first impressions and she also felt very nervous. Her interview face, which I was to see many times when we interviewed for new staff together was certainly not a true reflection of what she was really like. Jesus had nothing to hide. He was always His true self. Mark’s account of how Jesus looked at the rich young man and loved him, must have made an impact on those present at this encounter for them to report it to Mark. I think Jesus must have seen great potential in this young man. Yet on the other hand when asked by Jesus to give up his riches and follow Him, the man’s face fell reflecting his disappointment and sadness for he felt he couldn’t do what Jesus asked. I wonder if he saw the love and encouragement that Jesus had for him. He missed out on so much. I wonder too if there was sadness on Jesus’ face when the young man turned away? I always hope when reading of this encounter, that somewhere down the line, the young man changed his mind and became a follower of Jesus. He was so worried, I think, that he wouldn’t be able to handle this new life that Jesus was calling him to. It would be so different to the life that he had lived up till then. But he would have had the love and support of Jesus, who loved him.
Sometimes the reason we put a face on is to hide our fear about what we may have to face. But we just need to remember that Jesus loves us just as much as he loved that young man. He will not take us into something and abandon us to get on with it. He will equip us and walk with us in it. Let’s not see the disappointment in His face by saying no to the One who loved us enough to die on the cross for us.
Dear Lord,
I’m grateful for that unconditional love of Jesus. Help me never to disappoint Him by being disobedient in my anxiety. When I am afraid let me gain strength and confidence from that love and press on in the way You want me to go, even if its different from the way I have previously known and been happy in. I know You only have the best in mind for me. Help me to always remember that. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.