OBSERVATION: The power of this verse is in its sharp contrast with verse 22. In verse 17 he came running -- with eager anticipation and enthusiasm. In verse 22 he went away sorrowful. He came running but went away sorrowful. Like the month of March which sometimes "comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb," this guy came in to Jesus with great excitement and zeal but left with a whimper.
This encounter with Jesus did not play out the way that he had pictured it in his mind. He played his part right, just as he had rehearsed: He came running -- check! This showed his youth, his health and his vigor. He asked the right question -- check! "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" This showed his spirituality and a willingness to work. Jesus asked him about the commandments and he was able to flash his spiritual credentials, "all these things I have done from my youth." -- check!
Everything was going according to the script, but then Jesus went off the script. Jesus asked him to do something that he hadn't planned on, that he had not rehearsed, "Go, sell all you have and give your money to the poor."
That was totally out of the blue. It was totally unplanned. Everything was going so well up until that point. But then everything changed. His excitement and enthusiasm immediately disappeared and were replaced with sorrow. He left the conversation quite differently than he came in to it.
APPLICATION: Jesus doesn't stick to the script. Whenever I presuppose or prefigure His answer or activity I set myself up for disappointment. We are no different from this guy. WE come running up, excited about Jesus and life with Him and how well everything is going to go. When things don't go the way we have it planned, it can certainly be unsettling. It can rattle the very core of our relationship with the Lord. It can change the demeanor and attitude of our service.
I have seen people who have started out strong, like this guy. Running to the Lord, they can't wait to start with Him. But then something happens. Jesus doesn't stick with the script. It's not the way they had it planned.
- Maybe it costs more than they thought it would cost.
- Maybe He doesn't give them the accolades or position that they thought they would get.
- Maybe they just don't understand: "How could this be this way... How could He treat me like this... when I've said all the right things?"
Jesus just doesn't stay on script. He says what He wants, when He wants. Actually, He is the writer of the script. If some one deviates from the script, it's me not Him. This is how this particular scene was supposed to end: "And the man, realizing that his great wealth was a snare to him and the blessing that he could be to others, gladly sold all he had. He gave every penny to the poor and ran back to the Lord, even faster than the first time. He was a changed man. And he followed Jesus from that point on, trusting Him to supply his every need. The End, and Amen.
PRAYER: Jesus, You are the scriptwriter. I will follow Your script, not expect You to follow mine. I want to finish with greater enthusiasm than I started with. Amen.
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