Ever dismayed by the demand? Narrow door. Only one way to the Father. Denying self, taking up the cross daily. So much surrender entering the Kingdom of God.
Doing the right things
Rich, young ruler doing the right things. And asking the right question: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” But Jesus nails the one thing still holding his heart. So much a part of who he is. So he thinks.
Dismayed by the demand
“Go and sell all you have
and give to the poor….
Then come, follow Me.”
The unexpected answer
shakes him.
“But he was dismayed by the demand…”
and he walks away in grief.
Why?
“…because he had
many possessions.”
Releasing all
Whole-hearted surrender is not just following the rules, but releasing all to Him. All. Whatever we hold onto. Whatever holds onto us. Money. Status. Comfort. Family. Place. Talents. “Safety.”
Who can be saved?
Seeing how hard it is to enter the Kingdom, astonished disciples ask, “Then who can be saved?” And Jesus says, “With man it is impossible, but not with God, because all things are possible with God.” Dismayed by the demand? Don’t walk away. Turn your eyes to Him.
What about you?
Have you ever been dismayed by His demand?
Related posts
Heart and soul – Engraved – Enter the narrow door – The mystery of the gospel – Wounded –
4 replies on “Dismayed by the demand”
In our service today, we were encouraged to consider the extraordinary Christ who uses very ordinary people! His ways are bigger and bolder than our imaginations!
Hallelujah!
I think what’s hard is that it’s a continuous surrender. It’s not just a one time thing. It’s a daily thing. And sometimes it hits you harder than others.
So true. Thanks for this reminder!