The Rich Ruler

A conscientious, law-keeping rich ruler comes to Jesus asking what he must do to be saved.  And he goes away so sad when Jesus tells him to sell all he has and then come back and follow Him. This man has a lot of money. He has tried so hard. He is so religious. But who would he be if he lost his money? His very identity seems tied up in his wealth.

There’s nothing wrong with money. This issue is that money has this man’s heart. Jesus wants to relate to us at a deep inner level, the core of our being. He turns to His disciples and says, “You can’t do this on your own. But … God can!”

My question is “How do you eat an elephant?” Answer: you start with the first bite.

It can be so releasing to say to God, “God, I can’t do this!  I am asking You to come into my life and help me to do what, at the moment, I can’t do.”  That’s the first step, putting out a little finger of faith towards God.  He hears. He responds.

I sometimes picture it as welcoming Jesus inside the front door of my life. Maybe I don’t dare let Him come any further. He won’t come an inch beyond the doormat unless I invite Him. He never gate-crashes. He quietly waits. As I find I can trust Him more, I may even allow Him further into my life. He invites me to give Him the freedom to bring a spring-cleaning, sorting out, perhaps a transformation! As I begin to love His company, I find I can’t wait to allow Him to bring change – and joy, and freedom.

I guess that, for the rich man, his money formed a huge pile of rubble blocking his front door.    Maybe he couldn’t even muster the courage to shift that big pile. But the wanting to change was real to him. I wonder what would have happened if he had taken one brick in his hand and asked God to help him just move that one brick. I find that, as I make my little step of faith, or obedience, or willingness, God always seems to turn up with His big step to help me do it.

I wonder what your ‘impossible’ blockage is to letting Jesus come close to you today.