Weekly Devotion

One thing thou lackest

"Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: 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." Mark 10:21 (Read all of Mark 10:17-31)

How many of us are willing to sell all that we have, give the money to the poor and take up the cross of suffering to follow Jesus? How many of us are even willing to be put out just a little -- to sacrifice some of our wants and desires, some of our comfort -- to help those in need?

What did Jesus tell the man who ran up to Him and said: "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" And when Jesus directed this man to the commandments, did he see his sin and shortcoming? How had he failed to keep the commandments? Did he truly love his neighbor as himself? Did he love the LORD God and seek Him above all else?

Jesus' words were very revealing of this man's failure to be right with God by his keeping of the commandments: "One thing thou lackest: 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."

Did he love the poor enough to sell all he had to help them? Did he love the Lord enough to forsake all, take up his cross and follow Him?

What about us? Do we? Indeed, "How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God ... 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."

Thankfully, what is impossible with man is possible with God. Jesus gave up all to redeem us. As the Bible says (Rom. 5:6-8): "For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Jesus fulfilled the righteous and holy demands of God's law perfectly in our place. He loved us and gave Himself as a ransom for our salvation -- that we might inherit eternal life (cf. Mark 10:45; Eph. 5:2). With God, our salvation is possible. It was paid for by the blood of Jesus!

And notice that those who came to know Jesus and God's salvation in Him willingly did what this rich man lacked. They gave up all to follow Jesus.

Dearest Lord Jesus, we thank You for accomplishing our salvation by living and dying in our stead. In You, we have forgiveness and life everlasting. Move us to love You above all and walk in Your ways. Amen.

[Devotion by Randy Moll. Scripture from the King James Version of the Bible. More devotions at www.goodshepherdrogers.org.]

General News on 11/19/2014