The Elephant in the Room

August 8

(Luke 18:18-23 NIV) “A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” {19} “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. {20} You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery, you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’” {21} “All these I have kept since I was a boy,” he said. {22} When Jesus heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” {23} When he heard this, he became very sad, because he was very wealthy.”

(Mark 10:17-22 NIV) “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?" {18} "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good--except God alone. {19} You know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.'" {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." {22} At this the man's face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.”

A powerful young man came to Jesus. He was a man of wealth and influence. He was a good and moral man -- a man of character and courage -- a man who kept the commandments. He came humbly to Jesus, fell on his knees, and asked the most important question any man can ask: “What must I do to inherit eternal life?” The answer he got caused him to wilt and turn away. Jesus told him to go and sell all that he had and give it to the poor. Then he was to come and follow Jesus as a disciple. The rich young man balked at this because it is hard to get rid of an elephant when it’s in your room. Most of the time we will deny it is even there. But Jesus sees it.  He always sees it -- and He loves us enough to tell us. We all have an elephant in our room that can keep us from following Jesus and inheriting eternal life. This ruler’s elephant was his wealth. What’s yours? -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day