Opening Prayer: Lord, I am yours; I do yield myself up
entirely to you, and I believe that you do take me. I leave myself with you. Work in me all the good pleasure of your
will, and I will only lie still in your hands and trust you. Amen. (The Christian’s Secret of a
Happy Life by Hannah Whitall Smith)
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
Journal: Where do you find yourself in this story? Where is God asking you to release something
that is significant to you and follow him?
What is your response?
Reflection:
It’s a really good question actually. One that each and every one of us, if we’re
completely honest, has had run through our minds a time or two. What do I have to do to get to heaven? What’s it really going to take to get me
in?
Maybe the rich young man was looking for a
minimum requirement, or maybe he was hoping for a response that indicated he
(being healthy, wealthy, and wise) was already in, I’m not sure. But I do know that he did not get the answer
he expected. I really believe that deep
in his own heart and soul he was thinking that surely he, of all people, was
going to be okay. I mean if he wasn’t
in, who was? Even the disciples were
thinking that. But the ways, and the
words, of God are never so predictable.
Jesus looks deeply into the young man’s
heart and quickly puts his finger and on the real issue. He immediately identifies the main area of
belief that needs to be brought to light and dealt with before faith could
become a real possibility for this young, wealthy, and powerful man.
“What’s it going to take? Everything!
Everything you’ve got. I want it
all.” And that is what Jesus requires of
each of us as well. Simply put, there’s
no such thing as coming to Jesus half way.
It’s all or nothing. There is no
minimum investment, no minimum requirement.
He wants all of us—all of our heart, all our life, all of our attention,
and all of our affection. He wants to be
our treasure, not one of many treasures.
He calls us, as he did the rich young
ruler, to leave everything behind and come and follow him. This rich man walked away sad, unwilling to
allow Jesus to be his all. What about
you? (Reflections by Jim Branch)
Prayer
Closing Prayer: Lord Jesus, be my all. You will settle for nothing less. Help me let go of everything that might pull,
hinder, or distract me from giving my full affection to you. Amen.
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