September - 7
COSTLY DISCIPLESHIP
“Sell your possessions and give to the poor . . . . Then, come, follow me.” Matthew 19:21
The ambitious young man seems a good candidate for discipleship. He has everything going for him: lots of energy to do things for Jesus, youthful charisma for attracting people, plenty of disposable income to help Jesus and others. And Jesus wants to give him what he craves: eternal life. But Jesus goes out of his way to teach this potential disciple that eternal life is more than satisfying a checklist. Jesus wants the man to experience real life that is deep and eternal.
So Jesus probes deep inside the young man’s heart. Jesus knows he struggles with materialism, status, and obedience, so he invites him to take three simple actions to gain life that will truly last. First, the man should sell the possessions that imprison him. Second, he should give the proceeds to people who could not give him anything back. Third, he should come and follow Jesus.
But the young man could not cross the discipleship line with Jesus. He went away disappointed because he did not want to give up his wealth for the Jesus life. Jesus did not make following him easy and user-friendly.
What prevents you from following Jesus today? How is your present life like that of the rich young man? What areas of your life are taking possession of you? Think about Jesus’ words: “With man this [kind of life] is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
PRAYER
Dear Jesus, break the chains that prevent my heart from following you. In your strength, help me to put aside anything that distracts me from you. In your name, Lord, Amen.
那雄心勃勃的年青人似乎是作门徒的优秀人选，他具备各样良好的条件：无限精力为耶稣作工、吸引人的年青魅力、许多钱财去帮助耶稣和别人，而耶稣希望赐给他的，是他所渴求的永生。可是，耶稣教导这个可能成为门徒的人，永生不只是令他的许多要求得到满足，耶稣希望他经历深刻而永恒的真实生命。
故此，耶稣深入探查这年青人的内心，祂知道他在物质主义、名誉和顺服之间挣扎，所以邀请他采取三个简单的行动去取得真正永恒的生命。首先，他要变卖一切捆缚他心灵的财物。第二，他要把变卖所得的收入，分给不能回报他的人。第三，他要来跟随耶稣。
可是，这年青人无法与耶稣一同跨过作门徒的界线，他失望地离开，因为他不愿意放弃自己的财富去过耶稣的生活。耶稣并没有令跟随祂的道路变得容易和方便。
今天，有什么拦阻你跟随耶稣？你现在的人生与那位富有的年青人有何相似之处？是什么主宰着你的人生？请思考耶稣的说话：「在人这（种生活）是不能在神凡事都能。」
祷告
亲爱的耶稣，求祢除去拦阻我的心跟随祢的枷锁，求祢叫我倚靠祢的力量，除去任何叫我从祢身上转移视线的事物。奉主祢的名求，阿们。