Tuesday, January 18, 2011
BIBLE IN A YEAR: Micah 5-7 and Revelation 12
“Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”… You know the
commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false
testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” ”Teacher,” he declared, “all
these I have kept since I was a boy.” 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.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away
sad, because he had great wealth Mark 10:17,19-22 (NIV)
The first thing to notice about the man in this story is that he came running after Jesus.BIBLE IN A YEAR: Micah 5-7 and Revelation 12
SCRIPTURE READING
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?”… You know the
commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false
testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’” ”Teacher,” he declared, “all
these I have kept since I was a boy.” 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.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away
sad, because he had great wealth Mark 10:17,19-22 (NIV)
He knelt before Jesus and asked what he needed to do to become saved. This man was
intense! This man was serious about getting saved. Now hear how Jesus responds
to this young man. Jesus quotes six of the Ten Commandments, all of which deal with
man’s relationship with other people. However, Jesus purposely omitted the first four
commandments, the ones that deal with a man’s relationship with God – to have no other
gods or idols before God. This young man had fulfilled six out of the Ten Commandments
but his obedience did not come out of his relationship with God, it came out of legalistic
duty. What good is fulfilling six of the Ten Commandments? This young man completely
missed out on the most important thing – to have a God as the first thing in his life. For this
young man, wealth had become an idol, which is why he went away sad.
PRAYER and MEDITATION
1. Ask God to reveal to you whether or not your obedience comes out of a relationship withGod or out of legalistic duty. Are you like the rich young man who obeyed most of the
Ten Commandments, yet failed obeying the commandments that deal with your
relationship with God?
2. Ask God to help you re prioritize your life so that He is in first place. Tell Him if you
struggle giving Him the first place position in your heart. Ask Him to help you make the
changes necessary to put Him first. Tell him if this scares you, tell Him if it is
hard for you to give up the things that are giving you enjoyment. Ask
Him to supernaturally empower you to obey what He has shown you.
