Trinity Lutheran Church

If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
Matthew 19:21

Come … Follow Me

Jesus did not make it easy for the rich young man to follow Him. The man had to first go and sell all that he had and give to the poor. Why? Money and possessions had become his idols. Although the man confessed that he had kept all of God’s Commandments, he couldn’t truly keep the first one, “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). The Law, which Jesus spoke, needed to do its work in bringing the man to repentance before he could even realize his need for the Gospel, which bestows forgiveness.

If Jesus would have simply said, “Follow Me,” the man may have done so, but the man’s heart would have held his possessions more highly than his relationship with Jesus. The man’s idols had to be dethroned so that Jesus could be enthroned in his life.

Following Jesus may not always be easy for us either. We are often tempted to put other things before our relationship with Him. Examine your own idols. Repent, receive God’s forgiveness, and release these idols with the help of the Holy Spirit! In Christ, we can follow Jesus all the way to heavenly glory. Thanks be to God!
Thank You, Jesus, for the invitation and faith to follow You all the days of my life. May I enjoy doing so.
Amen.
Daily Devotion via Portals of Prayer
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