January 29

Exodus 7:25-9:35; Matthew 19:13-30; Psalm 24:1-10; Proverb 6:1-5

The world is full of people who want to do good and even try to do good, but that alone will not get them into heaven.

A rich young man came to Jesus and asked how he could have eternal life. He had followed God's commandments, but Jesus told him that wasn't enough. He had to sell all his possessions and give them to the poor, then follow Jesus. It was more that he was willing to do and he went away sad.

Jesus later told His disciples it is more difficult for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. Perhaps that's because for many, wealth has become the most important thing in their life. It's their security...their comfort...their god.

Jesus didn't ask this man to sell everything because He needed the poor to be fed. It was the man's heart He was after. Christ expects to be our first love. We must be willing to lay everything else down if He asks us to. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matt 6:21).

Jesus wanted the man to give away his possessions so he could come and follow Jesus. He would then  be free from life's distractions and responsibilities with nothing to keep him from sitting at the Master's feet.

As I mediate on this passage, I realize wealth isn't the only thing that can complicate our lives and take our focus off of Jesus. The busyness of life can easily become the squeaky wheel we're constantly oiling - at the expense of our relationship with the One who laid everything down for us.

I love what Jesus says a few verses later. "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matt 19:26) If we truly desire to put Christ first and follow Him, God will help us make the necessary changes in our life so it IS possible!

In Christ,
Pastor Susan