Day 25
Today’s passage
Matthew 19:16-26
Experience
During Jesus’ time of ministry, people were constantly asking questions—sometimes to trap Him, sometimes to rationalize their refusal to follow Him, and sometimes because they honestly wanted to follow Him. The rich young man in today’s passage wants to know what he needs to do to gain eternal life. The words eternal life here probably means a satisfying quality of life and not just heaven. It’s a great question—not only for the first century, but also for today.
I love how Jesus responds to the man’s question; He didn’t give him a straight answer, instead, He answered the question in the man’s heart instead of the one he verbalized. Jesus said if he wanted real life, he must obey the commandments. Instead of accepting that, the man asked, “Which ones?”… almost like he only wanted to do the bare minimum. After Jesus listed six commandments, the man said he had kept all those, so what else must he do? Jesus then told him to get rid of the very things that defined him—his material wealth and possessions. Think about it, the Bible itself tells us this man was rich, and Jesus told him that he had to get rid of that label. The man was so upset when Jesus asked him to switch his priorities, he simply walked away.
Think about the people you know. Are they constantly looking everywhere, trying anything, going anyplace, and asking everything just to find meaning in life? The rich young man probably did, too, and the answer for the people around you who are looking for life is the same as Jesus’ answer to the man and to His disciples.
After the rich young man walks away, Jesus turns to His disciples and says it’s impossible for a person with any material attachments to enter the kingdom of God. They must have been a little worried, and so they tried to reason that they had done just that; was there any hope for them?
Jesus’ answer is critical; if you try anything on your own, you’re doomed to fail. But through God, everything is made possible, even eternal life. In fact, God is the only chance you have of eternal life. For the rich young man and for me and you, keeping commandments and doing good things just won’t cut it. What Jesus is asking is for us to totally submit our lives to Him.
I really liked this one. If I had lots and lots of money, it would be hard for me to give it up. I think it would be hard for anybody…
If I had to get rid of my stuff and money it would be so hard. I love all the things i have, especially my pig collection, but that is besides the point. If you can name one thing that you loved and if you had to get rid of it for anything or anyone would you be able to do it?? I know i wouldn’t be able to. I love all my stuff i have but for me to give it up, i don’t know. If i was just to let some of the things i don’t like go then that would be easy because i don’t like them but since most of the stuff i do like it would be hard.
Almost every season we go through our clothes, and the stuff that doesn’t fit it is easy for me to give away, but if i was to be moving and having a garage sale and have to get rid of some of the things that i love it would be really hard. How many of us think they could give all they have and dearly love away for someone special, i don’t think i could get rid of everything but some of my stuff i think i could.