NTC – Day 10
Published on Oct 13th, 2009 |
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There was one passage of scripture that just jumped off the page to me today. It was Matthew 19:16-26, regarding the rich young ruler. Three things occurred to me.
First of all, he looked at Jesus and asked him how he could achieve eternal life. Do you see the irony? He was looking into the eyes of eternal life as he posed the question! Yet instead of telling the young man that he needed to believe in him, Jesus told him to keep the commandments. Why?
The second thing that stood out to me was Jesus response after the young man insisted that he’d kept all the commandments. He told the young man that to be ‘perfect’, he needed to 1) sell all his possessions and give them to the poor and then 2) follow Him. So I was thinking, did Jesus see through the young man’s question about eternal life because what the young man was really seeking was to achieve some sort of ‘perfection’?
The third thing that stood out to me was that I’ve always read this story as one about money. But today when I read it, I focused more on the second step of the instruction Jesus gave. I think it’s really the second step that sets Christianity apart. If I understand correctly, most every world religion would advocate selling your possessions and giving them to the poor as a way to inherit eternal life. But in making the second step a requirement, Jesus is clearly mandating an immediate and complete break from the old life to receive the new life. Out of His great love for us, He won’t allow us to follow Him and keep one foot in our old life. A change of heart is required and that’s why Christianity is so, so difficult for many people to accept.
For the rich young ruler, he was unwilling, it seems, to follow Jesus because he recognized that it would cost him far too much. My favorite verse of today’s reading is Matthew 19:26, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”. I’ve heard this verse applied in so many ways, but I think it’s most fitting when we apply it to trying to change our hearts. On our own, it is impossible, but with God, all things are possible.
“I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Ezekiel 36:26
I find that the Christian walk requires deep introspection and self-evaluation. I keep thinking about my cross (Mt. 16:24) that I am to take up daily. How do I do this? What does it look like? What IS my cross? I don’t know.
As I ponder this, I can relate to the “rich, young ruler” as Christiandom has identified him. He is introduced in scripture merely as a young man. I can relate to a young man much more easily.
I agree with Johnna that this passage is not about money. In application, his wealth is inconsequential. The question seems to be “What is more important than Jesus in your life?”
Although my eternal destiny is secure, I can apply this scripture. For that young man, his wealth kept him from Jesus. What keeps me from Jesus? From a closer walk with Him?
Mt. 16:26 asks “what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Again, my soul is secure, but what am I exchanging for a deeper relationship with God? Am I, in fact, like the rich, young ruler? Is it material possessions? Is it selfishness with my time? Is it busyness, in general? Worse yet, is it indifference?
Ultimately, God is saying to me, “What are you putting before Jesus in your life?” Again, like the cross, I am not sure. So, I will pray for the Holy Spirit to enlighten me because I am certain that He is speaking.
I ageree with Carla and Johnna totaly this New Testment Challane Has Open my eyes totaly i love Chirst,Jesus,God even More Know!