Focus
Relax and listen. Consciously prepare to hear God’s Word. Clear your mind of the worries and tasks that lie before you. Open your heart and allow it to refresh.
Read
The Rich Ruler
18 A certain ruler asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 19 Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good but God alone. 20 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery. You shall not murder. You shall not steal. You shall not bear false witness. Honor your father and mother.’ ” 21 He replied, “I have kept all these since my youth.” 22 When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “There is still one thing lacking. Sell all that you own and distribute the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; then come, follow me.” 23 But when he heard this, he became sad, for he was very rich. 24 Jesus looked at him and said, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God! 25 Indeed, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 Those who heard it said, “Then who can be saved?” 27 He replied, “What is impossible for mortals is possible for God.”
28 Then Peter said, “Look, we have left our homes and followed you.” 29 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, there is no one who has left house or wife or brothers or parents or children for the sake of the kingdom of God 30 who will not get back very much more in this age and in the age to come eternal life.”
Reflect
I have to admit that I have always liked this rich ruler. He doesn’t “beat around the bush” as they say. He wants the facts, just break it down, get to the point, and cut to the chase. He doesn’t want to sit and listen to a 15-minute, 30-minute, or a 1-hour sermon. Yes, this person attends lots of our churches. You might know them. Anyway, this ruler comes to Jesus with just one question. Jesus, just tell me straightforwardly and simply, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
Jesus replies with a simple list of the Ten Commandments, or at least some of them. Have you ever noticed in this passage that Jesus only mentions those that have to do with our relationship with other people? The ruler is confused. Jesus, I keep all of those. I’m nice to everyone I meet. I’m a friend to all. So what’s the catch? Jesus knew he would have those covered, but what about the commandments that refer to our relationship with God? Why no mention?
This ruler lacks one thing. Just one. Unfortunately, it is a big one and a hard one, not just for this ruler, but for us as well. He lacks the other commandments that speak to our relationship with God. In different words, Jesus goes back to commandment number one. God should be first in our lives, in all aspects of our lives. For this ruler, he didn’t have God first in his life. For us, maybe it depends on the day you ask us. In reflecting upon keeping the commandments, how are we doing in our lives? Are we keeping our relationship with God as healthy as we should be, or do we still lack one thing, maybe two things, or perhaps three things?
Pray
Loving God, so often we fall into the trap of thinking we just need to be good enough, or nice enough to other people to live for you. But there is so much more than just that. We long for that relationship and fellowship with you each and every day. Help us to always put you first in our lives. Help us to build that treasure in heaven as we follow you. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Go with God!
