Matthew 19
Psalm 145
Matthew 19. What do you love most in the world? Why does this even matter?
Because what you love and trust can save you or damn you forever.
A certain rich man asks Jesus, ‘Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ (verse 16) ‘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.”’ (verse 21)
Jesus calls the man to extreme passion: he must trust, love and follow Jesus above all else to be saved [which only makes sense because Jesus is fully God]. Jesus is the saviour king of the kingdom of God (verse 23). This is the equivalent of Jesus telling the billionaire CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg to give away all his money to trust and follow Jesus. We must love God (Jesus) more than money and possessions (verse 21-22) (see also Matthew 6:24).
Despite keeping some of God’s commandments, the rich man still lacks salvation [eternal life – verse 16] because he lacks total devotion to Jesus. He cannot earn his salvation by keeping the commandments – good is not good enough! It’s total devotion, wholehearted allegiance – anything less just won’t suffice! Sadly, the rich man leaves and rejects Jesus because he still loved money more than God, which is idolatry (Colossians 3:5). That’s why Jesus comments to His disciples, ‘It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven’ (verse 23). Nothing can or must compete with God and His Son for our allegiance.
Of course, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is worth giving up everything for because He sacrificed Himself for us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help us to trust and love Jesus more than anything and to find our happiness in following Him.