In Luke 18:22-23, we read the story of the rich young ruler. Despite the fact that the man had kept the ten commandments since he was a boy, Jesus told him, “You still lack one thing to inherit eternal life. Sell everything that you have…and come, follow Me.” But upon hearing this, the man became very sorrowful, because he was very rich.
Jesus did not show the least concern that this rich young ruler should do what He told him, nor did Jesus make any attempt to keep this man with Him. Our Lord never pleaded with him; He never tried to lure him – He simply spoke these strict words and then left him alone.
Have I ever heard Jesus say something difficult and unyielding to me? Has He said something personally to me to which I have deliberately listened – not something I can explain to others, but something I have heard Him say directly to me? This young ruler understood what Jesus said. He heard it clearly, realizing the full impact of its meaning, and it broke his heart. He did not go away as a defiant person, but as one sad and discouraged. He had come to Jesus on fire with zeal and determination, but the words of Jesus simply froze him. Instead of producing enthusiastic devotion to Jesus, His words produced heartbreaking discouragement. And Jesus did not go after him, but let him go.
Our Lord knows that once His word is truly heard, it will bear fruit sooner or later. What is so terrible is that some of us prevent His words from bearing fruit in our present life. I wonder what we will say when we finally make up our minds to be devoted to Him and obey Him on the particular point He is trying to make in our lives. The good news is that He will never give up on us and He will never throw our past failures back in our faces.
Your sister in Christ, Cindy
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