Jesus continues to draw large crowds as He teaches and healsin Judea. Some Pharisees come and try to test Him with a question aboutmany peoplemarriage. When Jesus answers that God‘s intended plan for marriage wasthat the husband and wife should be as one flesh, they point out thatMoses allowed for divorce. However, Jesus explains that Moses‘s teachingwas an accommodation due to the hardened hearts of God‘s people,
not a reflection of how God intended marriage to be. When we want tounderstand God‘s design for us, we should seek to understand His heart.
- P24
God‘s intention at the beginning was for marriage to reflect His love andcommitment. Regardless of our relationship status, let us pray that, withthe help of His Spirit, the marriages in our churches may reflect God‘s loveand commitment as He intended. - P24
16Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?"
17"Why do you ask me about what is good?" Jesus replied. "There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments."
- P26
20"All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?"
21Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."
22When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
- P27
When people bring their children to receive prayers of blessing from Jesus, the disciples try to stop them. They think children are a distraction from the important work Jesus has to do. However, Jesus not only welcomes them, but also says that children are the ones to whom the kingdom of heaven belongs. - P28
God wants us to approach Him like children, humbly and without pretense—unconcerned with the power or status that might be important in worldly kingdoms. - P28
Children who have a good relationship with their father expect and trust that he loves them and will provide for their needs. Likewise, we are to remember that we are sons and daughters who can freely approach our heavenly Father in prayer with any request at any time.
- P28
A wealthy young man has faithfully kept God‘s laws, but when he askswhat he must do to get eternal life and what is still lacking in his life, Jesustells the man to sell all of his possessions. Jesus knows that the man‘s truedevotion is to himself, to enjoy all of his possessions and the reputationhe has acquired. Friends and neighbors may envy this man, but Jesus seesthe whole picture: Wealth and possessions have become an idol that keepsthe man from giving his whole life to God. - P28
If we want to grow in Christ,
everything else must be secondary. Our heart‘s devotion should be orientedtoward God, for we were created for His glory. - P28
Heavenly Father, I come to You today in simple faith, like a child. Forgive me for pursuing selfish pleasures when lasting satisfaction can only come from You. I give You my whole life. Use it for Your glory. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P29
Before his death, Jim Elliot, one of the five martyrs, wroat he cannotlose."in his journal,
"He is no fool who gives up what he cannot keep to gain what he cannotmissionaries learned what the rich young man who met Jesusdid not. They learned that Jesus is worth more than anything else in life.
No amount of riches or success can measure up to the value of sharing thelove of Jesus with others. In heaven, for many people, the tables will turn:Those who reached the pinnacle of success may find that they have wastedtheir lives pursuing temporary things, while those who set their sights oneternity by devoutly serving God and others will find joy and rest in thepresence of their Savior. - P28
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