Loving the "Great," Not Just the "Least"

Mark 10:17, 21-22, ESV

17And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 

…

21And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Most of us find it at least somewhat natural to feel love and compassion for the “least of these”—the poor, the marginalized, the fatherless, the widow, the refugee, etc. And this is biblical! This is the heart of God—and it is evidence of His heart within us.

But what about loving the “great?”

What about having compassion for the “great?”

This young man was great in the eyes of the world. He had great worldly wealth, and many Bible scholars believe he was even a ruler. But, he was in such intense inner turmoil and felt such intense inner lack that this “great” young man ran to Jesus—and knelt before Him.

And Jesus loved him.

Jesus felt compassionate love for this young man—and we must do the same. 

There are so many people out there doing all the right things in the eyes of the world, but still missing the one thing—a relationship with Jesus. 

And they feel it.

They may come across arrogant or defiant or rude or even demeaning, but it’s because they are dealing with an internal sense of spiritual lack. 

And that should break our hearts just as much as anything else.

Oh Lord, thank You for Your never-ending loving compassion for humanity. Please help us to see the people around us through Your eyes. Help us to not only have compassion for the “least of these,” but also to have compassion for the “great.” Draw all people to You—the far and the near, the least and the greatest. Draw the lost to You. Amen.