Daily Devotion, March 8, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Matthew 19:16-22.

The young man in our passage today had a limited and misguided view of Jesus and eternity. He thought he was perhaps just one or two good deeds away from punching his ticket to heaven and enjoying eternal life on his terms. He thought the way to eternal life was by doing. He seemed willing to follow the laws and there were over 600 of them! But the young man’s heart wasn’t all in. He was holding on tightly to a lot of things and wasn’t willing to let go of his worldly desires. What he really needed, however, was a whole new starting point for his life. Instead of adding another commandment to keep or good deed to perform, the young man needed to let go of his earthly possessions, give them to the poor, and follow Jesus. The young man went away sad. He wanted it both ways: to be defined by his financial wealth and to receive the spiritual riches of eternal life. Jesus is calling us to change our minds from the temporary to the eternal, from the things that we are holding more tightly than our relationship with him. Are you holding too tightly to something? Is there something you treasure more than a relationship with God? His answer to us today is the same: Let go of anything that is preventing you from having a right relationship with Christ so that you can experience eternal life. In doing so, you will find your treasure in heaven.

Personal Worship Option:

Commit today to examining what you treasure. If you treasure anything more than God, pray for him to change your heart, accept his grace, and focus on drawing closer to him everyday.