July 13
Mark 10:17-22
When I was teaching a Disciple Now group a few years ago, I showed the students an example that I was reminded of when I read today’s verses. I had two cups. One was marked ‘God’, and one was marked ‘the world’. The God cup was filled with water, and the world cup was empty. I said, “This is how it is supposed to be. We are supposed to love God wholly and completely. But when we start loving the world, our love for God gets depleted.” And I demonstrated by pouring some water into the world cup. I also pointed out that it is not okay to love the world even a little bit. Even if most of the water is in the God cup, that is still not okay. God doesn’t want some of our heart; he doesn’t even want most of our heart. He wants ALL of our heart. The man in today’s passage was wealthy, and even though he followed the commandments his heart wasn’t wholly devoted to God. Jesus knew this, and that is why He told the man to give all his possessions to the poor. Jesus was making the point that nothing should take the place of God in our hearts. This is a lesson that applies to everyone! We all have things in our lives that can and do take the place of God. Maybe it’s time to take a trip to Salvation Army!
By the way- today is day 50! We're half way done with Mark!
Principle: The cost of eternal life is an undivided heart.
Application:
1. When I am dissatisfied with were I am, do I come to Jesus to ask Him what to do?
2. What am I clinging to which may be taking God’s place in my heart?
3. What do others see when they look at me – a follower of Christ or a possessor of things?
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I like the part where it says, "Jesus looked at him and loved him." (v. 21) When God calls us to sacrifice, it is because he loves us. At the same time, the call to sacrifice reveals who or what we love the most. If we really believe that God loves us, and if we really love God more than we love things, our story will end better than this one. Lord, help see your love when you call me to sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteQuestion #3… I’m afraid I am a stuff collector. At one point in my life, my husband and I sold our home and everything we owned, bought a travel trailer and set out on a journey to see all of the United States. We worked as we went and while in North Carolina we were both saved. (I’ve probably told that story already; the memory isn’t like it used to be!)At that point in our lives we were free from “stuff” and had so much time to be able to spend with God. But…after 3&1/2 years the “stuff” started to accumulate again and we eventually settled down. I wonder how much closer to God I might have become had all this “stuff “ not cluttered my life again. My husband and I have so many interests that I’m sure we will always have lots of “stuff” but God is sure telling me to talk to Him, learn more about Him, shine my light for Him and then enjoy all the “stuff” He has so graciously given to me. The lesson for me is Prioritize!
ReplyDeleteI had not thought of this in a spiritual way. This summer I have been doing a lot of cleaning out of stuff and have made a few trips to salvation army and the peace at home shelters. I still have much more that needs to go. It feels good to read this passage and the comments and see that I may be on the right path of getting rid of unnecessary things.
ReplyDeleteWhen I read this passage I thought I must be willing to give things up and follow Jesus. I did not think of material things, but more of things that I want to do or accomplish in life. Those things need to be put aside and following Jesus should be first. If I can do some of the other things while serving the Lord that is great, but He should be the only thing that is important in life.