Mark 10:17-31

Be Still:  There are many things that occupy my thoughts and would distract me form seeing you. I want to meet you now, Lord. Amen

Read: Mark 10:17-31

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. 'Good teacher,’ he asked, 'what must I do to inherit eternal life?’….Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ he said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’ At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth….. ‘Truly I tell you,’ Jesus replied, ‘no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age: homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—along with persecutions—and in the age to come eternal life.  (vv 17, 21-22 & 29-30) 

Encounter: Jesus has a challenging habit of putting his finger right on our sore spot or weakness. He knows us so well and he loves us so much (‘And Jesus, looking at him, loved him….) that he points to the very area where we are vulnerable or fall short. I wonder, if Jesus were to point at something like this in my life what it would be, and how would I respond? In this man's case it was money and wealth. What attitude, objective or attachment might we have that is in danger of displacing or undermining our commitment to Jesus? 

Jesus is uncompromising in saying we need to recognise these damaging things and displace them. He said, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me’ (Matthew 6:24). While we may have made a wholehearted commitment to put Jesus first, we need to be on our guard before other things worm their way in and lead us away from our ‘first love’.

Jesus explains to his disciples that it is difficult but not impossible for someone with wealth to be his disciple. We live in a culture where money and what it can buy are wrongly considered to be the main route to success, security, and happiness. But if our money can be held lightly and is used wisely and generously as the Spirit directs, then it is a means of great blessing in the kingdom of God. Jesus says that no-one who forgoes the pleasures and benefits of this world for his sake, will lose out, with rewards and eternal life to come.

Apply: Let us focus on our ultimate objective to ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness’ (Matthew 6:33) and not let anything get in the way.

Devote: Please, dear Lord, show me anything that would interfere with my love for you.