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Day 28 Mark 10:17-31 Mark 10:17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? 18 And Jesus said unto him, Why call thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God. 19 Thou know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honor thy father and mother. 20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth. 21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lack: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. 22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus looked round about, and said unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! 24 And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answered again, and said unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. 26 And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved? 27 And Jesus looking upon them said, With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible. 28 Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee. 29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, 30 But he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. 31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first. Where do you put your trust? In self, your wealth, your job, your social status? Many people place their trust in things that can fall like a house of cards in an instant. A man came to Jesus and asked the most important question a person could ask. How could he gain eternal life? We should all ask that question. Jesus then told him what he wanted to hear – obeying the law. The man said he already did that. After telling him what he wanted to hear, Jesus told him what he needed to do – follow him. However, the man being wealthy, couldn’t sell everything and follow him. He didn’t trust God with his wealth. He didn’t trust God with his life. He didn’t trust God. He trusted what he could see and handle. Jesus then made a statement that shook the foundation of what the disciples believed. He said it was hard for rich people to enter heaven. He didn’t say it was impossible, just hard. He said it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter heaven. The disciples and those who heard him, knew to what Jesus referred. The wall surrounding Jerusalem had many gates a person could go through. One of those gates was a needle gate. In order to go through that gate, a person had to take everything they owned off the camel before he could enter. That’s how small the needle gate was. Jesus’ disciples were surprised by his answer, knowing how hard it was, and what it took to go through that gate, and asked who could be saved. Jesus replied, all those who put their faith and trust in him, taking up their cross and following him. When they did, they would receive more than they ever expected in return. As Christians, you accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. You committed your life to him. However, how much of your life did you give him? What areas of your life are you still holding onto? Can you go through the needle gate? Are you holding onto the same things the rich man did? Are you holding onto wealth and status? It’s easy to say you have given Jesus everything, but only you know the truth of whether you have or not. If Jesus asked you today to sell everything you have and go to the mission field, would you? What excuses would you give preventing you from leaving everything you know behind? When you commit your life to Jesus, you’re committing all of your life, not just part of it. A jailer asked Paul and Silas what he needed to do to be saved after an earthquake hit the jail and caused all the shackles to fall off the prisoners. He was at the point of taking his own life, knowing it was forfeit if the prisoners escaped. Yet, they hadn’t escaped. Acts 16:25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one’s bands were loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spoke unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. Do you believe in Jesus Christ to the point where you would gladly, freely, give up everything you have and do what he asked of you? You really have nothing to lose, and everything to gain when you commit your entire life to him, not withholding any part of it for yourself. Surrender everything to him today, and watch God work in your life in ways you never thought possible. Let’s pray: Father, I surrender everything I am and have into your keeping. Take me, and fill me with all of you, so there is nothing left of me for the world to see. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen. Copyright © 3 August 2018 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay