In yesterday’s blog we met Hannah who had experienced great sorrow because of the natural circumstances of infertility. Today we will see the sorrow of a man who has everything.
The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to be saved. Jesus replied that he should sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Now don’t take this as a condemnation of wealth, it’s not. Jesus just knew that the man’s riches meant more to him than a relationship with Christ. Scripture says this man left Jesus and he was filled with sorrow.
“Then Jesus told him, ‘If you want to be perfect, go now and sell your property and give the money away to the poor—you will have riches in Heaven. Then come and follow me!’
22 When the young man heard that he turned away crestfallen, for he was very wealthy.
23-24 Then Jesus remarked to his disciples, ‘Believe me, a rich man will find it very difficult to enter the kingdom of Heaven. Yes, I repeat, a camel could more easily squeeze through the eye of a needle than a rich man get into the kingdom of God!’
25 The disciples were simply amazed to hear this, and said, ‘Then who can possibly be saved?’
26 Jesus looked steadily at them and replied, ‘Humanly speaking it is impossible; but with God anything is possible!’
27 At this Peter exclaimed, ‘Look, we have left everything and followed you. What is that going to be worth to us?’
28-30 ‘Believe me,’ said Jesus, ‘when I tell you that in the next world, when the Son of Man shall sit down on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones and become judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. Every man who has left houses or brothers or sisters or fathers or mother or children or land for my sake will receive it all back many times over, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first now will be last then—and the last first!’” Matthew 19:21-30 Phillips
Peter and the other disciples had given up everything to follow Jesus; they had left their businesses to follow Christ, so this comment concerned them. Jesus reassured them that since they had left all to follow Him, they had a proper perspective of their possessions. Their commitment to Christ was their top priority. If the rich young ruler had trusted Jesus’ call to leave all and follow Him, he too would have had a place among the disciples.
Hannah brought her sorrow to the Lord and left with a sense of purpose and joy. The young ruler came to Jesus with his accomplishments and success and went away in sorrow. The difference between these two was trust. One trusted personal accomplishments and one trusted God.
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.” Matthew 6:33 NLT
God isn’t out to ruin our lives, He wants to complete it!