Jesus Loved Him

ByJim Stephens

Jesus Loved Him

Reading: Psalm 121; Mark 9-10 21 Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, “There’s one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me.” 22 The man’s face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go. (Mark 10:21-22 MSG) A young man ran up to Jesus on the street and asked very respectfully and sincerely what he needed to do to have eternal life. Jesus reminded him of the commandments of God and he responded that he had been diligent in living a moral, commandment-keeping life. The thing is, they both knew something was missing. Jesus looked him in the eye – and loved him! So he challenged him on the one thing that would be most difficult of all for this nice young man – the one thing that hindered him from spiritual progress. If Jesus really loved him, why not ease into it? Why not make an exception? Why not give him a couple of options?

I believe that Jesus really loves me. But that doesn’t mean he won’t look me hard in the eye and challenge me on the one key thing that stands in the way of my spiritual progress and growth. Like this nice young man that Jesus loved, I have the choice of responding to Jesus’ hard look in the eye and challenging words or of walking away with a heavy heart. I don’t want to disappoint Jesus, and I don’t want to miss what God has for me. But it sure is tough some times! Jesus loves us just as we are, but he loves us too much to leave us like that! Is Jesus challenging you in some key area of your life? How’s your response? Don’t walk away with a heavy heart! Please pray this prayer with me… Prayer: Father, When Jesus looks me hard in the eye and challenges me on the one thing that I most need to let go of or take hold of, I purpose to rise to the challenge. I don’t want to miss what you have for me! Please don’t give up on me and let me walk away with a heavy heart.

]]>