Jesus, Peter and the Young rich ruler

And he said to Him, “Teacher, I have kept all these things from my youth up.”  Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him and said to him, “One thing you lack: go and sell all you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. MARK 10:20-22

Jesus was very direct with this man as to what he needed to do in order to achieve eternal life. He did not tell him you have to stop stealing or lying or cheating on his wife etc... In his case what he needed to do was sell all he had give it to the poor and follow Jesus.

This man's name is never mentioned in the bible, because those who don't sacrifice are forgotten, Jesus was calling this man to be one of his disciples be he turned down the offer and we don't hear anything about him anymore. "But at these words he was saddened, and he went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property."

on the other hand Peter when he was called he sacrificed everything and followed Jesus and not only was he remembered and became Jesus right hand man among the 12 and Jesus Himself changed his name "He brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon the son of John; you shall be called Cephas” John 1:42

 

Cephas means rock and Jesus took a simple fisher man called Simon with a failing fishing business and made him a great man of God called Peter all because right at the beginning he did not question or think to much about what Jesus was asking him to sacrifice he gave it all.

PETER'S life, name, and history changed forever.

The life, name and history of the rich young ruler never changed and he was forgotten even though from his youth he kept all the commandments.

He left as quickly as he came.

The same God that changed the life of Jacob is the same God that changed the life of Peter. He will be the same God to change the lives of all those who are willing to sacrifice what God asked from them in a heartbeat. 

Pr Samuel - Long Beach