Jesus and a Rich Man
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Treasure in Heaven
Every once in awhile, I’ll hear reports of some lost treasure that has been recovered. Each time that happens, I hearken back to my childhood and many attempts to find such a bounty in the areas around the town where I grew up. So much searching and occasionally maybe a small discovery of a bead, rusty tool or mineral rock, but never did I come upon that one big cache of wealth that would change my life forever. As a child, I did discover a treasure that would change my life forever. Little did I know as a young adolescent boy just how much greater that treasure would be for my life and world. The treasure I came upon is a personal relationship with Jesus that continues to usher me into the family of God and equip me for every good work. While I have been blessed in both the turmoil and triumph of following Jesus, there are still yet greater returns that I could not possibly comprehend right now. One thing is sure, I am convinced that Jesus is greater than anything this world has to offer and I would encourage you to turn your eyes upon Him as your greatest security today!
In Mark 10:17-31, we see a man comes up to Jesus hoping to find eternal life. Jesus tells the man how to find eternal life and treasure in Heaven but in the end we see the man walk away disheartened. What happened? How could this be? The man was seeking eternal life and just when he gets his answer – he walks away from Jesus. Put yourself in that man’s shoes for a moment. If Jesus asked you to walk away from all your earthly security, would you do it? Not so easy, if you really think about it! Over the years, I’ve accumulated a bunch of stuff and I have trouble simply trying to de-clutter let alone give up everything all at once. What Jesus asked of the man was a lot for him to give up. I’m inclined to think the man believed there might just be another way to find eternal life without such a drastic cost to his lifestyle. In that moment, Jesus’ demand was too much for the man. I’m hoping he eventually came around in time to know Jesus as the treasure that outweighed any cost to his life.
Now put yourself in Jesus’ shoes for a moment. He looked at this man and loved him, yet the man walked away. We often consider our cost in following Jesus. But how often do we consider the cost to Jesus in loving us? How disheartening it must’ve been to feel the man’s rejection of Jesus’ invitation. We should remember that Jesus does sympathize with the man’s struggle with sin as He was also tempted in every way. Jesus didn’t stop loving the man when he walked away. Instead Jesus foretells His death again after this encounter. Jesus is literally dead set on recovering the lost treasure of this man and the world whose hearts have been torn from His fellowship by sin. He will provide the rescue they need because in them He sees a treasure that He wants to recover.
Jesus still calls us to total sacrifice and surrender in order to follow Him. The reality is that it is impossible for any person to inherit eternal life on their own but by the power of God it has been made possible through His Son. Today, we have the most convincing proof of eternal life that the world has ever been given through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Look no further – Jesus is the treasure of Heaven for which your soul longs most. You were created for fellowship with Him and He has made a way for that to happen now and forever. Wow! If that doesn’t light your wick right now than you’ve probably got some idols of your own to let loose. As His people, let us throw off anything that hinders us from following Jesus. May we look upon Him and find our ultimate treasure in Him. Let’s take heart in the eternal life God gives to us through Jesus, the champion of our souls!
Grateful and hopeful in Christ,
Jon