Daily Devotional for Wednesday, October 18

Jesus and the Disciples

“Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy 
way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in 
heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me,” Mark 10:21.

When most people came running to Jesus, it was for a healing of some sort. This man did not need healing, but he had an urgent question. One thing I think needs to be mentioned here is Jesus’ reaction when the man called Him “Good Master.” Jesus’ reply in verse 18 was, “Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, God.”

Multitudes of people sought Jesus for the many miracles He performed. Even though Jesus had opposition from some, a large number saw Him as someone who was good. Yet again, Jesus pointed to the Father. Only the Father in Heaven is good.

This man wanted to know what He must do to inherit eternal life. Jesus mentioned the commandments. The man answered that He had observed all of them from his youth. No man can keep the Law. Obviously, though he was a good man as far as not being a criminal, he wanted to know what else would give him eternal life.

Jesus knew this young man was rich in possessions. When Jesus told him to sell all he had and give the money to the poor, the man was grieved for he did not want to part with his earthly belongings.

The point here is not that you have to do good works for salvation, but through salvation you inherent blessings and rewards which are based on how you follow Jesus. This man was not willing to give up all he had. He thought the things he had on earth were far better than anything he would gain in eternity.

SOMETHING TO THINK ABOUT: Are you ready to become a complete follower of Jesus and give up any earthly thing God would want you to?

Karry Irizarry