Perhaps one of the most well known conversations found in the New Testament is between Jesus and the Rich Young Ruler found in Matthew 19:16-30. Sit quietly and read the passage through.
The young man who approached Jesus had many things to ask, but his questions seemed to be ways of keeping God's message at a distance. What he did discover through meeting Jesus was that happiness is found not in keeping commandments but in giving away possessions. The attachment he had to his possession gave him grief, and kept him from the freedom of enjoying life. We may well ask, what holds us back from living life to the full?
Jesus finally said to the young man what he may already knew; following God means not just a change of mind but leads to a change of heart.
To follow Jesus we need to shake off anything that binds us or any shackles that imprison us in a dependency on wealth, esteem, comfort. Any ‘wealth’ which takes first place in life – even a person – can be a block to freedom in following the Lord.
The wealth of this man following his conversation with Jesus, made him sad – a sure sign that his possessions were possessing and imprisoning him. Wealth, friends, success and all we often desire in life can bring us close to or distant from God and our true self.
Jesus, you pick up two false notes in the approach of this good young man. There seems to be a fawning, flattering note in his use of /good;/ and his question focusses on *doing good deeds.* You bring him back to the central issue: not so much to pile up good deeds, as to be a loving person, ready to express that love in any sacrifices God may ask of us. As you reveal to me what I must do, may I also be given the strength to do it. Bend my heart to your will, O God. Amen
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