by Derek Weston, Senior Director of Ministry and Church Operations
Mark 10: 17-21 (selectively, NIV)
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’[d]”
20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.”
21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
Here’s your curveball for today. As you read through that scripture passage, you were probably expecting this devotional to discuss the sacrifices that we make to follow Christ, or maybe a stewardship lesson on how to give to the poor. But it’s not.
I was recently asked to share my favorite passage of scripture, and while my “favorite” changes frequently, there are a few words from this passage that echo in my mind and spirit each day. Verse 21 opens with “Jesus looked at him and loved him.”
What a perfect example of the love that Christ has for all of us. We are called to live out this love as reflections of Jesus. How often are we looking at those with whom we work, live, and see every day, and loving them? What about strangers, or individuals who have the tendency to make our lives more difficult?
Today, focus on loving others in the same way that Jesus loves us. As Pastor Bob recently mentioned in a sermon, sometimes we are the only Bible that people will read. How will someone experience God’s love through interacting with us today?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we love you, and we pray that you make our lives a mirror of the love you have for us, reflecting it to all we meet. May we be the hands and feet of Jesus in this world and truly love others as He loves us. Amen.
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