undivided

a little shout out to you from California! (I hate to tell you this, but it's sunny here and 60 degrees....). I'm here visiting a good friend and am sending you a hello from a few states down... Happy Thursday, Liam! 

By: Joani Ross

A reading from Matthew 19:16-30, The Rich Young Man

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven! Again I say, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom of God.”  The disciples were greatly astonished when they heard this and said, “Then who can be saved?”  Jesus looked at them and replied, “This is impossible for mere humans, but for God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:23-26

80% of the world’s population lives on just $10 a day. Compared to the world at large, we are all rich. So hearing Jesus say that it is easier for a camel to go through the small hole of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God should get our attention.

But is Jesus teaching us about riches or what we treasure over God?

Jesus is responding to a man also called the Rich Young Ruler who claims he has wholeheartedly obeyed all the laws—and because he has done so, he thinks this act of obedience will get him into heaven. When Jesus asks him to sell ALL he has and give to the poor, the rich young ruler isn’t so confident anymore. The young man thought that because he kept all the commands, he could move on, happily waiting for eternal life. But Jesus exposes the real issue—his heart. Jesus knows that this man’s wealth, not obedience, is the one thing he treasures over God.

What might be dividing our loyalty? What keeps us from being ALL IN for God? For this man, it was his money. For us, it may be something different. It may be friends, popularity, how we look, other people’s opinions, having nice things, or being accepted. And it is HARD, but not impossible. Jesus knows what divides our attention and will help us! For God all things are possible. When we acknowledge that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6), our hearts are set right and we receive entrance into the Kingdom of God. Jesus alone saves us. He wants us to FOLLOW HIM and to LOVE HIM with undivided loyalty.

Prayer: God, without Your power, we often let things in our life get in the way of our relationship with You. We acknowledge that we get distracted by the things of this world and we need your help. Please teach us choose You over anything else.