THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 10:17-22
“Jesus looked at him and loved him… Go, sell everything you have…” (Mark 10:21)
Is this is how Jesus treats people He loves?!
Jesus did not say this to everyone, but He did say it to this man, whom He loved.
As I’ve said before, Jesus personalizes His responses to the needs of each person.
We can be sure that this is exactly what this man needed to hear.
He was a very religious man (v.20), and yet he loved money more than people.
His heart was full of worldly treasure, there was no room for spiritual treasure.
Absolute poverty is not a requirement for following Jesus.
But full surrender and devotion is, and this man’s heart was not ready for this.
Which makes me wonder, would Jesus say the same thing to many of us today?
And if He did, would many of us walk away from Jesus sad?
If we had to choose, would we choose our love for wealth or our love for Jesus?
If Jesus, does this show in how you relate to money and wealth right now?
Are you generous with what you have?
Are you concerned for others of God’s children who have less?
These are really hard questions because they cut to the heart.
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:21)
What do I treasure, where is my heart, and do I care about the poor, like Jesus?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, what a choice you put before this man You loved. I know You love me too, so where are You challenging me regarding my surrender and devotion to You?
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
Observations/Application
Jumping through the hoops to be saved? Impossible. Only by grace.
Did the man really keep all the commands? How about the first command – no other gods?
Being a follower of Christ is not systematic following a pattern or rules or regulations, it is a matter of the heart. Be like a little child and follow. Trust and obey. Putting God first in all things (TGIF – TodayGodIsFirst). I need to put my trust in God alone and not in te works of my own hands.
All for Jesus.
Not what my hands have done can save my guilty soul;
Not what my toiling flesh has borne can make my spirit whole.
Not what I feel or do can give me peace with God;
Not all my prayers and sighs and tears can bear my awful load.
Your voice alone, O Lord, can speak to me of grace;
Your power alone, O Son of God, can all my sin erase.
No other work but Yours, no other blood will do;
No strength but that which is divine can bear me safely through.