The rich young ruler asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" I overheard two women having a conversation the other day about a man who was ill and at the point of death. They couldn't understand why he was terribly afraid to die. "He has led a good life", one of them said, "Why would he be scared to die?" My heart broke for this man and for them. They didn't understand what it meant to have eternal life in Christ? This young ruler had led a good life and followed God's commandments yet he too, I believe, was afraid too die still lacking the assurance of eternal life. Why? Because there was something still standing between this rich ruler and God, his own wealth. Jesus put His finger on the very thing that stood between him and God, the idol that meant more to him than anything else. "One thing you still lack", Jesus said, "sell all...and distribute to the poor". Turn over to Me the one thing that is more important to you than I am. Love Me first. Give me ALL your heart. That is what Jesus is saying...to the ruler, His disciples, and to us. It could be something other than money but money in this world has incredible power in our lives. And although it is very hard to let go of the power money has with God it is not impossible. Jesus expresses that it is never impossible—no matter how hopeless it may seem— for someone to find eternal life through Him. That has been God’s plan before the foundations of the earth were even laid and is still His plan today. As Jesus spends the last days of His ministry with the disciples, He reinforces belief in God and not just a halfhearted belief but a belief that believes above all else that God can save anyone. He is saying to His disciples as you proclaim the
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Rich Young Ruler
Matthew 19:16-30, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18:18-30
The rich young ruler asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" I overheard two women having a conversation the other day about a man who was ill and at the point of death. They couldn't understand why he was terribly afraid to die. "He has led a good life", one of them said, "Why would he be scared to die?" My heart broke for this man and for them. They didn't understand what it meant to have eternal life in Christ? This young ruler had led a good life and followed God's commandments yet he too, I believe, was afraid too die still lacking the assurance of eternal life. Why? Because there was something still standing between this rich ruler and God, his own wealth. Jesus put His finger on the very thing that stood between him and God, the idol that meant more to him than anything else. "One thing you still lack", Jesus said, "sell all...and distribute to the poor". Turn over to Me the one thing that is more important to you than I am. Love Me first. Give me ALL your heart. That is what Jesus is saying...to the ruler, His disciples, and to us. It could be something other than money but money in this world has incredible power in our lives. And although it is very hard to let go of the power money has with God it is not impossible. Jesus expresses that it is never impossible—no matter how hopeless it may seem— for someone to find eternal life through Him. That has been God’s plan before the foundations of the earth were even laid and is still His plan today. As Jesus spends the last days of His ministry with the disciples, He reinforces belief in God and not just a halfhearted belief but a belief that believes above all else that God can save anyone. He is saying to His disciples as you proclaim theKingdom of God
The rich young ruler asked, "What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" I overheard two women having a conversation the other day about a man who was ill and at the point of death. They couldn't understand why he was terribly afraid to die. "He has led a good life", one of them said, "Why would he be scared to die?" My heart broke for this man and for them. They didn't understand what it meant to have eternal life in Christ? This young ruler had led a good life and followed God's commandments yet he too, I believe, was afraid too die still lacking the assurance of eternal life. Why? Because there was something still standing between this rich ruler and God, his own wealth. Jesus put His finger on the very thing that stood between him and God, the idol that meant more to him than anything else. "One thing you still lack", Jesus said, "sell all...and distribute to the poor". Turn over to Me the one thing that is more important to you than I am. Love Me first. Give me ALL your heart. That is what Jesus is saying...to the ruler, His disciples, and to us. It could be something other than money but money in this world has incredible power in our lives. And although it is very hard to let go of the power money has with God it is not impossible. Jesus expresses that it is never impossible—no matter how hopeless it may seem— for someone to find eternal life through Him. That has been God’s plan before the foundations of the earth were even laid and is still His plan today. As Jesus spends the last days of His ministry with the disciples, He reinforces belief in God and not just a halfhearted belief but a belief that believes above all else that God can save anyone. He is saying to His disciples as you proclaim the
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)