Which marking scheme are you using

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | June 26, 2023 | Matthew 19:16-22

KEY VERSE:

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth. Matthew 19:22 (NIV)

MESSAGE:

A young rich man came to Jesus boldly and ask him a question he thought he already had answers to. Before asking Jesus the question, I am sure this young man had already weighed himself against the ten commandments and felt he had scored some good marks on all fronts. He was assured of eternal life by his standards. His scorecard had placed him at an advantage over a lot of people he grew up with. Having kept the commandments from his boyhood, he was way ahead on his way to eternal life. So, the question to Jesus; “...what good things must I do to have eternal life”, was to check whether what his balanced scorecard was saying was what it was, and Jesus just had to confirm.

Guess what, the master has a beautiful way of bursting people’s bubbles and teaching them very valuable lessons about what is essential. And he does that by starting with what they already know. In this case, “You can receive eternal life if you keep the commandments,” he said. Then He hits where it hurts our ego and self, after keeping all the commandments like you say you already do, now “go sell all you have and give the money to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come and follow me.” That would really hurt his ego. But it will only hurt if you have not completely yielded to the Lordship of Jesus as a follower. Our key verse for today says the young man was troubled because he had great possessions.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE

As a follower of Jesus, are you marking yourself by Jesus’ standards or do you have your marking scheme? Are you following with your heart looking into the kingdom or your heart is with your possessions here on earth? If you lose every possession, will you still follow Jesus? What is taking your attention, eternal life with Jesus or your possession here on earth?

PRAYER Dear Lord Jesus, help me to yield completely to you. To follow dearly and seek your kingdom earnestly. Please help me set my heart daily on eternal life and not on earthly possessions. For your dear name’s sake. Amen. THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!