“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it” – Mathew 16: 24-25 (NIV).
When Jesus was here on earth he met many interesting people, from all walks of life. These ranged from the Samaritan woman who he found at a well (John 4:1-26); a justice of the supreme court who approached him at night (John 3: 1-21); to a soldier seeking a favor, to have his servant healed (Mathew 8: 5-13).
One day Jesus ran into a tycoon with a pressing need how he could get to heaven (Mark 10: 17-31). The tycoon was apparently a devout man who on most points he and Jesus agreed he was on the right path. However, when Jesus challenged him that he had to sell his property, give the money to the poor, and follow him, the tycoon walked away very sad for he was so attached to his accumulations.
Seeing him, Jesus turned and “said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God! In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” (vv 23-24).
Perhaps you are curious why. The fact here is that, just as back then, there are many rich people who are so attached to their accumulations, that if it were possible, they would rather be buried with all- mansions, fleets of vehicles, jewelry, perhaps even their cows! This is exactly how the Egyptian pharaohs and most traditional kings here lived. They were buried with all their material accumulations, apparently to give them comfort in the next world! For such, their whole identity was tied around their vast accumulations and titles. They could not imagine a life without. In a sense, it was a lonely life, for without those things, there was little else to life.
Yet it is not only rich and mighty affected but any of us can be in that box too. For some of us it could be our honorific titles, academic awards, racial and ethnic identities, and status in society by birth- something we hold on so dearly, that we can’t imagine life without. Well, here Jesus is telling us, that the way to heaven where we shall see even a far greater multiplication of anything we hold on to here desperately, is by surrendering all to him. Hard, isn’t it!
May God help us, for as Jesus said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God” (vv 27).
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of Abraham, maker of heaven and earth, today I surrender all to you, which is not by my power but because you enable me so, in Jesus’s name I pray!
Related upcoming events
-
29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024 All day“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27)
One of the most moving Christian song ever written is, “Its well with my soul!” To hear it sung in cathedrals, concerts or at funerals, always leaves many with goose bumps. It has uplifted many through the most difficult of moments, soothing their weary spirit.
It’s coming into being in many ways show how God so often uses difficult situations to bless so many. In 1871 Horatio Spafford, was one of the wealthiest lawyers, based in Chicago. He was also a devout Christian, along with his wife Ann, and their four daughters. But early in 1871 came the Great Fire of Chicago that destroyed Spafford’s sizable investment.
Devastated from the loss, Spafford, seeking to recover, two years later, decided to go for a holiday in Europe. But at the last minute he was detained by business, letting Ann and his four daughters to proceed, hoping to join them. No sooner had they left when the ship in which they were had an accident and sank within minutes. All the four children drowned, though Anna survived.
Spafford on receiving the news decided to go and pick up Ann. As he got to the spot where the ship had sunk, in his despair came the words that have brought respite to so many, through generations. “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say It is well, it is well with my soul... Let this blest assurance control That Christ (yes, He has) has regarded my helpless estate, And has shed His own blood for my soul. It is well...With my soul..
It is well, it is well with my soul.”It is said as Ann saw her daughters going down, she said, “God gave me four daughters. Now they have been taken from me. Someday I will understand.” And, indeed, “It is well with my soul” was God’s gift to all of mankind through a tragedy.
Prayer for today: Lord Father God of heaven, sometimes through tragedies, it is difficult to understand or appreciate the moment; but as the song goes, whatever the difficulty may be, “Its well with my soul” for you are with me, no matter! This I pray in Jesus’ name!
