Don't forget your valuable!

Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s passage is a portion of Mark chapter 10, where the Bible tells of this encounter:   

[17] As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” [18] And Jesus said to him, “…. [19] You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”

[20] “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”

[21] Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” [22] At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

I know, I know, you think my title should be “Valuables,” not “Valuable!” Well, no, for this devotion, it’s VALUABLE. I meant to write that singular word because this lesson is talking about the ONE thing in your life that is the key to it all. In our lesson for today, an individual comes up to Jesus and asks the million-dollar question, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” That’s the big question; that’s the one that really matters. You see, the Bible talks about life as precious, purposeful, and eternal. Those three all go together. Jesus wants you to know that your life is eternal, not just here today and gone tomorrow. He wants you to know that you are precious to Him, that your life matters to Him.

That is exactly what Jesus was trying to show the rich young man in our reading.  Jesus offers him what He also offers to you and me today --- Love, HIS LOVE, the eternal and lasting love of God in Jesus Christ, and a life that is purposeful and eternal because of what He has done for you on the cross. When Jesus tells the man that he lacks “one thing,” He’s trying to get him to see his life as a gift from God. He’s leading him to see that a relationship with Jesus is the key to it all.

So, today, ask yourself, “Is there anything getting in the way of knowing and receiving the one thing that is truly valuable for your life?” Are the things of this temporary world more precious than knowing the love of God in Christ Jesus forever? Are the trinkets of the moment to be more prized than God’s mercy in Christ? Is there anything more precious than knowing that no matter what you’ve done or where you’ve been, IN HIM, life can be fresh and new today? He offers you eternal life right now. The very same Jesus who urged this man to follow Him urges us too because only Christ Jesus can remove everything that stands in the way of having a life that is good, meaningful, and lasts forever. Trust in what is valuable today, your life in Christ. And hear another promise from Him as you face this week. Jesus says, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

PRAYER: Dear Lord Jesus, it’s easy to get caught up in the treasures of the here and now. Give us eyes to see that only in and through You does life become precious, purposeful, and eternal. Give me that wisdom to take up the challenges of today. AMEN.

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