The Sacrifice of Servitude

Assuring Hope
Jesus, the Promised Servant-leader

Mark 10:17-22 (The Message)

To Enter God's Kingdom

 ¹⁷As he went out into the street, a man came running up, greeted him with great reverence, and asked, "Good Teacher, what must I do to get eternal life?"  ^18-19Jesus said, "Why are you calling me good? No one is good, only God. You know the commandments: Don't murder, don't commit adultery, don't steal, don't lie, don't cheat, honor your father and mother."
 ²⁰He said, "Teacher, I have—from my youth—kept them all!"
 ²¹Jesus looked him hard in the eye—and loved him! He said, "There's one thing left: Go sell whatever you own and give it to the poor. All your wealth will then be heavenly wealth. And come follow me."
 ²²The man's face clouded over. This was the last thing he expected to hear, and he walked off with a heavy heart. He was holding on tight to a lot of things, and not about to let go.

For Reflection
Is your commitment to righteousness as strong as you knowledge of righteousness?  The man had the knowledge of what was expected righteous behavior.  He lacked the commitment. He only had one foot in righteousness.  The next step was selflessness.  What are you holding on to so tightly that it keeps you in your comfort zone and interferes with acts of righteousness?

Pray
help us to let go of all those things and notions of self that inhibit full and complete servitude.  Help us to accept the death of our old selves and discover the selves as transformed by the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.