Liz’s Morning Devotional: Scripture selected from Upper Room
January 29, 2023
Read Matthew 19:23-29
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife[e] or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Good Morning, This is the day that the Lord has made! Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Jesus says, “Follow Me!” When Jesus called them, Peter, Andrew, James, John, and the others left behind their possessions and their former lives and walked with Jesus. We know from reading scripture that their lives were changed forever. They would go on to become Apostles proclaiming the good news of Christ to the world as they taught and healed in the name of Jesus.
It is hard to imagine being called to make such a choice, but even more challenging to imagine deciding to walk away from everything to follow Christ. Worldly values are woven tightly into our society. Those who gather the most possessions are often equated with power and others envy their belongings. We enjoy our creature comforts of shelter and food, but when do we cross the line and begin to place too much value on gathering more stuff?
I heard a funny quote this week from someone who was working to help others using the abundance of his own blessings. When he was asked why he would share so generously, he said, “I’ve never seen a hearse pulling a U-Haul in the funeral procession.” Perhaps, It’s a little crass, but he was simply reminding us that we can’t take our earthly possessions with us.
Jesus warned us about this when He said, “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal ...” (Matthew 6:19-20)
We are called to pick up the cross of Jesus and follow the light. When we are blessed, we are to share our blessings with others. This begins the ripple effect that grows as it emanates from the source. We can’t earn our salvation, but we are called to respond to our salvation as we share our blessings freely.
“Who then can be saved?” 26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Loving God, Thank You for being with us. Help us share our gratitude with all! Thank you! In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen
Thought for the day: Making sacrifices allows me to serve God more fully.
Give Freely! Pastor Liz