What good thing shall I do? (part 2)

“…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. Mk 10:21

It must be noted that this teaching of Jesus is not binding on all seekers of eternal life. However, for this rich, young ruler, this is the remedy for his own situation, since his possession is an hindrance to his perfection. The Bible recorded, “But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.” vv 20. Observe that Jesus did not call him back saying, ”I was just joking. You don’t have to really do this…” Why didn’t Jesus just tell him to just “Take up the cross, and follow me.”? What Jesus told the rich young man was still in consonance with his teachings about riches and heaven.  “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Mt 6:19-21.

Take up the cross, and follow me.” This was a call to discipleship for the young man, just like the twelve  apostles. Jesus called him to forsake all riches, relations and worldly pleasures. It is a call to join Christ in his sufferings in this world so that the seeker can enter Christ’s future glory with him. Still on the subject, Christ told the twelve apostles, ”…And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.” Mt 19:28-29.

It must be noted that the instruction to “sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor” and the concluding part, “and come, take up the cross, and follow me” are all together in the same statement. Giving all you have and sacrificing yourself without following Christ will not earn anyone eternal life. “And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.” 1Co 13:3. God is love. He has demonstrated His love for us by sending Jesus Christ, His only Son, to come and die for our sin (Ro 5:8). Jesus is the love of God personified. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” Jn 3:16.

Prayer points
1. O God my Father, deliver me from all covetousness.
2. Lord Jesus Christ, help me to follow you to the end.
3. My Father, my God, help me not to forsake you for anything in this world, in the name of Jesus.

#heaven #cross #eternallife

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