Day 5
Lisa Sheffler, author
On Day 5 of the Engage God Daily, we spend some time digesting what we’ve learned and inviting the Spirit to transform us. Today we’re going hear from Jesus once more and listen as he asks us to make a choice about who or what we will worship.
Read
Mark 10:17–27
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
Reflect
Notice Jesus’ reaction to the wealthy man who comes running up to him, “Jesus looked at him and loved him” (verse 21). Jesus knows every heart. He knows the grip that false gods have on us. He knows how they tempt and draw, and the false promises they make. Jesus wants to break their hold and set us free, but we have to be willing to smash the idol.
Notice the reactions of both the man and the disciples. What Jesus asks seems both unreasonable and impossible. But Jesus knows what the man needs and loves him enough to insist he let go of his idol. Do we trust Jesus enough to loosen our grip on the things of this world? Will we grab hold of the “life that is truly life”?
The rich man came to Jesus because he’d caught a glimpse of who he really was. He recognized that when you meet Jesus, you fall on your knees before him. And Jesus knew exactly what cage the man was locked in and offered him the key.
The man walked away. What will you do?
Let’s review the steps we’re going to be taking each week:
- Under the Spirit’s guidance, we’re going to identify the idols of our hearts and recognize how God meets the need we’re trying to satisfy with an idol.
- We’re going to turn from that idol — release it and repent of it. In the words of Deuteronomy 12:3, we’re going to smash our idols!
- We’re going to turn to God. We’re going to worship God with our whole hearts and ask the Spirit to grow our faith. We’re going to gratefully receive the abundance that God offers us in Christ.
Today spend some time with Jesus. Fall at his feet and ask him if money and possessions have a grip on you. Welcome the Holy Spirit’s wisdom and conviction. Ask him for eyes to see the unmatched glory of God that makes all our worldly possessions dim shadows in comparison. Offer yourself and everything you own to God, and let the Spirit lead you.
Pray
Father,
You see into my heart. You know how I’m tempted by the false gods of money. You know my fears and my appetites and love me enough to call me to something better. I know the gods of this world are nothing.
Your love and generosity are so clearly on display in all the wonderful gifts you’ve given me. I see them in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Teach me to be generous as you are generous.
Amen.
Talk about it
- Discuss with a trusted friend or family member your biggest takeaway from this week. Ask for them to pray for you and help hold you accountable as you commit to smashing idols in your life.
Coming next week
When we lack peace or are trying to escape from reality, there are some idols that many people turn to — drugs and alcohol. Next week, we’ll discuss how to smash those idols.
