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Transcription
In today's Daily Devotion, Jesus encounters a man who asks how to obtain eternal life. Jesus tells him to keep the commandments, but the man feels like something is missing. Jesus then advises him to sell his possessions and give to the poor, but the man leaves saddened because he is wealthy. Jesus explains that it is difficult for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. The disciples are astonished, but Jesus reassures them that with God, all things are possible. The message is that obedience to Jesus is a personal choice, and our most important decision in life is whether to obey or disobey him. The devotion ends with a prayer for obedience and eternal life. Welcome to Christ Church's Daily Devotion for February 20th, 2024. Today we will be reading from Matthew chapter 19, verses 16 through 26. Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life? 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. Which ones? He inquired. Jesus replied, You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself. As these I have kept, the young man said, what do I still lack? Jesus 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. When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Then Jesus said to his disciples, Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God. When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, Who then can be saved? Jesus looked at them and said, With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. For me, obeying the law is important, but I can choose to drive within the speed limit and be late for my appointment, or I can drive at a faster speed and arrive to my appointment on time. There is no one forcing me to make a choice. I must choose myself what is most important. The law says one thing, and I respect the law, but I have my own reason for choosing to disobey the law. My obedience and disobedience is a choice. The young ruler came to Jesus. He said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life? Jesus told the young ruler to keep the commandments. Now this would not be a hard thing for the young man to do. All these things I have kept. What am I still lacking? There has to be more. I can sense it, but I do not know what it is. If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven, and come follow me. The young man made a choice. He went away grieving, for he was one who owned much property. Verse 22. Jesus gave the young man an opportunity to be complete, to have eternal life. Jesus did not demand that the young man do what he said that he ought to do. Jesus allowed the young man to walk away. It was his choice. He could choose to obey Jesus' words, or he could choose to disobey his words. You and I must make choices about many things in life. Our most important choice is whether or not we will choose to obey Jesus or disobey him. Obedience is a choice. Your personal worship option today is prayer. Lord Jesus, we choose to obey your commands and have eternal life. Amen.
