Will You Follow Him?

Today’s Through the Bible Reading: John 9:35-10:21; Mark 10:2-22; Matthew 19:3-22; Luke 16:18; Luke 18:15-23

Come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21

Jesus came to give us abundant life! He told us in John 10:10, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Nothing can fill us with joy more than following Christ. Its a joy overflowing and brings peace that passes understanding. Not a joy and peace that is dependent on circumstances, but that transcends circumstances and allows us to trust Jesus in the midst of life’s difficulties.

He laid down His life for ours (Jn 10:18). Truly He is our greatest treasure and our life can be lived in anticipation of seeing Him face to face.

In today’s reading, we find a reminder that our lives should be lived with an eternal perspective. Jesus admonished a rich young man to sell all he had and follow Him. Matthew 19:22 says that “the man went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

The message of this story is not that selling everything would have gained this young man salvation, but that in following Jesus he would find all that his heart desired and more. This young man, following after the things of the world, was unwilling to abandon his affections for his earthly possessions in order to follow Jesus.

Just as Jesus loved that rich young man, so too He loves you. Is He asking you to lay something down and take up a cross? Don’t hesitate! Don’t delay in this wonderful opportunity to obey. What may seem like a tremendous sacrifice is really a tiny price to exchange for eternal rewards. Will you follow your Lord today?