If we maintain eye contact with people... - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2026

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Mark 10:21

If we maintain eye contact with people when we speak to them, we show that we take particular interest in them. At such times we fade everything else out and devote ourselves to our opposite number. By the intensity and duration of our gaze, we can underline the importance of what we have to say. Our opposite number will probably notice that and listen attentively.
The man, who had come to Jesus in the above account, undoubtedly noticed this intensity in the Lord's friendly eyes. He couldn't escape that gaze. He must have been aware of the Son of God's genuine interest and love. And how it attracted him!
That man had come to the Lord Jesus with a question that may well have occupied him for some time. "What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" He had conscientiously tried to obey God's commandments during his life, but he had not found inward peace thereby. Could he have overlooked anything? Maybe Jesus, whom he addressed as "good Teacher", could give him helpful advice.
Jesus took his concern seriously. He recognised the sincere desire in the man's heart and wanted to help him. He looked at him directly and said virtually, only in other words, "I know how seriously you have been trying up to now. But I also know that you have neglected the decisive thing. Stop trusting in yourself and what you can do. Don't build your hopes on your possessions. Let them go!"
Today's reading: 1 Kings 6:23-7:7