A man approached Jesus and asked, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus replied, "You know the commandments. Do not murder, do not steal..." "Teacher," he replied, "I have done all that since I was young." Jesus looked at him and loved him and said, "One thing you lack, go, sell all you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me." (Mark 10:17-22)
We all know this story and have probably heard several sermons on it, but there is something I've overlooked til now in this story. Jesus "looked at him and loved him." Jesus was about to tell this man to do something harder than had ever been asked of him before but first He loved him. I believe this is also true in our lives. The times when God requests much of us remember, He is looking at us and loving us.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
Sunday, April 22, 2012
More Than These
A few weeks had passed since Jesus had last appeared to the disciples and shown Thomas His wounds. The inactivity and the fear of the unknown weighed heavily on Peter's shoulders. Finally he had had enough and he announced to the gathered disciples that he was going fishing. For lack of something better to do, the rest of the disciples went too. After a night of fruitless effort a man appeared on the shore and told them to try the other side. Of course the nets were full to overflowing and they realized that it was Jesus on the shore.
After feeding them, Jesus called Peter aside and asked him this question, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" More than what? More than the disciples---maybe, but I think Jesus had something else in mind. I think Jesus was referring to the boats and nets and fish scattered on the beach. You see Peter's faith had begun to waver and when faced with difficulties and his response was to return to what he was before he met Jesus. This is a common response, when we are suddenly faced with trials we revert to our old ways. We go back to where we are comfortable.
Will Jesus have to wave you in from a fishing boat or maybe off the corporate jet and ask you, "Simon (or whomever) do you love me more than these?"
After feeding them, Jesus called Peter aside and asked him this question, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love me more than these?" More than what? More than the disciples---maybe, but I think Jesus had something else in mind. I think Jesus was referring to the boats and nets and fish scattered on the beach. You see Peter's faith had begun to waver and when faced with difficulties and his response was to return to what he was before he met Jesus. This is a common response, when we are suddenly faced with trials we revert to our old ways. We go back to where we are comfortable.
Will Jesus have to wave you in from a fishing boat or maybe off the corporate jet and ask you, "Simon (or whomever) do you love me more than these?"
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