Day 18
BIBLE READING: Mark 10:17-31
There is a wonderful story but it has a sad ending. We are not told if this young man came back to Christ. We can only hope that he did.
He came eagerly, earnestly and humbly. He knelt down before Jesus and asked this tremendous question, 'What shall I do to inherit internal life?' Why did he ask that? Was it because he had an empty heart even though he was very rich? It is not wrong to be rich. It is only wrong when money or other possessions come between us and Christ. Or when they prevent us from doing what Christ asks us to do.
What did our Lord say to him?' You know what you ought do. Are you doing it?'
The young man replied 'Yes, I've done all that. But somehow I still don't feel right.'
The story says that Jesus loves him. It wasn't his goodness or his eagerness that Jesus loved but it was the young man himself. How could Jesus help him to see his need? He spoke very plainly to him. 'You have let your money and your possessions come first in your life. Get rid of them and then you will be free to follow me.'
The young man's face fell. As far as we know he was the only one who ever went away sad from the presence of Christ. Many were sad when they came, but went away blessed and happy. This man went away sad because there was something he wouldn't give up. We could call him the 'man with the sad back' as that is the last picture we have of him.
What does all this say to us? Is there anything that means more to us than Christ? Are we ready to give Christ the total commitment he is asking for? If we want the fullness of blessing there must be the fullness of surrender.
沒有留言:
張貼留言