SCRIPTURE: Mark 10:17-23
Why is it hard to enter God’s kingdom… its not hard because God makes it hard, but because we do.
The door to God’s kingdom is open wide, but not everyone wants the life that kingdom represents.
God’s kingdom (the only truly happy, fulfilling, joyful and peaceable way to live) can’t make allowance for greed, selfishness, pride, deception, hypocrisy, bitterness, anger, etc.
It is the root of greed and lack of compassion, and not the money, that is the problem in this story.
This man wanted the perks of God’s kingdom, but not the values associated with it.
To repent is to recognize that our sinful, selfish attitudes and desires are the root of our problem, they are what keep this world from being the kingdom God designed it to be.
To repent is to hate that root of sin, and to genuinely seek God for mercy and help.
Jesus assures us of God’s mercy, and offers us God’s help, by the Spirit.
With the Spirit’s help (our new root) we can begin to produce the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
Jesus looks at us and loves us too (v.21), but He cannot change what the kingdom is to accommodate our unhealthy desires and values… God and Jesus watch with sadness when we turn away because we prefer our own way.
The doors to the kingdom are open wide; it is our own hearts that make it hard to enter in!
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I am encouraged that You look at me and love me too. But I am also reminded that like this man, I turn away from You for lesser things, and miss out on the joy You have in mind for me. Help me enter into the wide open door of Your kingdom.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
Jesus was addressed as ‘good teacher’ Once again to show that He was truly man for all mankind is not good. Therefore the commandments were recited once again with an additional one – ‘you shall not defraud.’ Did the man get his riches this way?
Christ tells him to sell all what he has to become a follower of Jesus. His riches were his stumbling block keeping him from being a Jesus follower. What’s mine? Doing my own thing? Having it my way? Me first? What is my idol?
I must live God’s way and to be a follower of Christ I must dress myself with the fruit of the Spirit each day anew because each day I fall short to be a follower.
When Christ says follow me, is He really my treasure, my joy, my security, my hope? To be a follower costs. It is a way of living. As Christ went to Jerusalem so will I. But He has given His Word. ‘I will be with you.’
Prayer
Thank You Lord of the promises for all who are your followers. Make me a fisher of man.
1. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Thou art the potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after thy will,
while I am waiting, yielded and still.
2. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Search me and try me, Savior today!
Wash me just now, Lord, wash me just now,
as in thy presence humbly I bow.
3. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me I pray!
Power, all power, surely is thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!
4. Have thine own way, Lord! Have thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway.
Fill with thy Spirit till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me!