“Come, follow Me.” (Luke 18:22)

READ

Luke 18:18-30

REFLECT

What is the greatest opportunity you have been given?  A relationship?  A job offer?  An educational opportunity?  The rich young ruler was given the opportunity of a lifetime.  He could have followed the Savior of the world.  But, instead, he walked away because of “one thing he lacked.”
This same opportunity was accepted by the twelve apostles.  What made the difference between this man who rejected the same offer and those who accepted?  What was the one thing he lacked?  Maybe he needed more information.  Or, maybe he needed to do more works to be approved by God.  Neither could be true.  He already knew enough, because he was a religious leader of the synagogue.  And, he didn’t lack good works for he had kept all the commandments from his youth.
The one thing he lacked was standing right in front of him.  He lacked the true savior.  He thought he could be good enough by adding more works or information to his religious resume.  But, Jesus showed him he could never be good this way.  “No one is good but One – God.”
So, why did he have to give away his possessions?  Is it wrong to be rich?  He needed to renounce all that rivaled Jesus as his savior to accept the One “thing” he lacked – his actual savior.
“So therefore, any one of you who does not renounce all that he has cannot be my disciple.^‘” (Luke 14:33)

RESPOND

1. How have you attempted to save yourself by adding things to your resume?
2. How can our training “rival” Jesus as our savior?
3. Recommit to Jesus as your only Savior and share your commitment with a close friend.
4. Pray this commitment to God before your next workout.