WEDNESDAY, 1 MARCH 2023
TEXT:
Mark 10:17-31
17.
As Jesus walking down a road, a man ran up to him. He knelt down, and asked, “Good
teacher, what can I do to have eternal life?”
18.
Jesus replied, “Why do you call me good? Only God is good.
19.
You know the commandments. ‘Do not murder. Be faithful in marriage. Do not
steal. Do not tell lies about others. So not cheat. Respect your father and
mother.’”
20.
The man answered, “Teacher, I have obeyed all these commandments since I was a
young man.”
21.
Jesus looked closely at the man. He liked him and said, “There’s one thing you
still need to do. Go sell everything you own. Give the money to the poor, and
you will have riches in heaven. Then come with me.”
22.
When the man heard Jesus say this, he went away gloomy and sad because he was
very rich.
23.
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “It’s hard for rich people to
get into God’s kingdom!”
24.
The disciples were shocked to hear this. So Jesus told them again, “It’s
terribly hard to get into God’s kingdom!
25.
In fact, it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a
rich person to get into God’s kingdom.”
26.
Jesus’ disciples were even more amazed. They asked each other, “How can anyone
ever be saved?”
27.
Jesus looked at them and said, “There are some things that people cannot do,
but God can do anything.”
28.
Peter replied, “Remember, we left everything to be your followers!”
29.
Jesus told them: You can be sure that anyone who gives up home or brothers or
sisters or mother or father or children or land for me and for the good news
30.
will be rewarded. In this world they will be given 100 times as many houses and
brothers and sisters and mothers and children and pieces of land, though they
will also be mistreated. And in the world to come, they will have eternal life.
31.
But many who are now first will be last, and many who are now last will be
first.
(Contemporary English Version Holy
Bible)
TOPIC:
SALVATION IS NOT FOR THE HIGHEST BIDDER
It
is the natural inclination of human beings to be proud about what they earn or
possess, even if it is a gift from someone richer, or, more powerful than them.
Although
the rich young man demonstrated what we may consider an excellent attitude towards
keeping the Ten Commandments, it became obvious that he had failed in the one
fundamental commandment: thou shall love the Lord thy God with all your heart.
But
his heart was sold out to his wealth so much so that the thought of living
without it sent him away from Jesus, dejected and sorrowful.
We
live in an age and time where wealth is worshipped, both within and outside of
the Church. An individual’s worth is measured by the quality and quantity of
wealth he/she has amassed, irrespective of its source. Regarding such people,
Jesus said: it is better for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for
them to gain His kingdom!
What
takes precedence in your life today: the pursuit of wealth or Jesus Christ?
QUESTION:
On a scale of 1-10, how does the love you have for Jesus compare with your love
for wealth?
PRAYER:
Dear Lord Jesus, give me the courage to see wealth as a servant to be used to
serve Your will for my life. Amen.
Remain
Blessed
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