SPIRITUAL DIARY FOR 3/7/2023 6:18 PM
My Worship Time Focus: PT-2 “The
Request for Jesus”
Bible Reading & Meditation Reference:
Matthew 19:16
Message of the
verse: “16
And behold, one came to Him and said, "Teacher, what good thing shall I do
that I may obtain eternal life?’”
I ended my SD yesterday by quoting from John
MacArthur’s commentary as he outlined what it meant to be a believer, as we are
talking about eternal life in this section of Matthew’s gospel. With what I wrote about this yesterday I can
come to the conclusion that this young ruler could not have understood the full
meaning of what he was asking for, but he realized there was an important
dimension to his present life, religious and prestigious as it was, that was
missing. Now this missing element is
true with all unbelievers and once one understands that there is something
missing then they must listen to the Spirit of God who is speaking to them
showing them what is missing and then come to Christ asking for forgiveness and
then invite Him into their life in order to become one with Him in
salvation. Once this happens they experience will the God- given peace, rest, hope, assurance, and joy of which the
psalmists and the prophets spoke. I have
to say that this young ruler knew that he had a need, but we will see that he
could not give up what was needed to receive the free gift of salvation.
We can be sure that this man was
really sincere as he did come to Jesus to speak about eternal life, but I am
not truly sure that he actually knew who Jesus was, that is that He was the Son
of God, their Messiah who was promised in the Old Testament to come as their
Messiah.
This young man not only knew his
need but deeply felt that need, and he was desperate. There are many people who admit they do not
have eternal life, nevertheless feel no need for it. These people know they are not alive to God
and do not care, they have more important things to do in their lives than to
listen to the Holy Spirit tug at their hearts.
This young ruler felt his need so
keenly that , when he heard Jesus was in the vicinity, he “ran up to Him and knelt
before Him” according to Mark 10:17. He
could not wait to ask this Teacher how to find the answer to his deep longing
question that he must have had for a long time.
We see no embarrassment in him by the fact that he was known and
respected by most of the people who crowded around Jesus. He did not mind the risk of losing face with
those who probably considered him already to be religiously fulfilled and
specially favored by the Lord.
I can’t be sure but there was
probably a lot of parents coming to Jesus who brought their children to have
Jesus bless them, but this man was not ashamed to request a blessing for
himself. He was saying to Jesus in
effect, “I need Your help just as much as these little children need your help.” The children were held in our Lord’s arms,
but this young man knelt before Jesus.
He prostrated himself before Jesus the Lord in a position of
humility. He appeared serious, sincere,
highly motivated, and even anxious. From all of this that is being taught here
one would think that he was ready to become a believer in Jesus Christ, but as
we shall see, He was not.
Spiritual
meaning for my life today: Just as
Jesus is the messenger here to this young man, I have to be the messenger to
those whom I share Christ with, but I don’t know if the person I am witnessing to
will accept the truth of the gospel, whereas Jesus truly did know this man’s
heart.
My Steps of Faith for Today: Be ready at
all times to give out the truth of the gospel to those I come in contact with,
praying for a person who will be one sent to me by the Holy Spirit of God.
3/7/2023 6:48
PM
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