THURSDAY

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 19:16-21, James 1:27

Have you ever had someone share a great story with you from which you learned something meaningful, and then later discovered that there was more to the story than you realized? Sometimes that “something more” can be of such a nature that it changes the meaning entirely, but often it is simply a matter of seeing some new things that add to the meaning of the story. The first of the two passages for today (Matthew 19:16-21) tells about the rich young ruler and his conversation with Jesus about what he must do to experience eternal life. We often think he is asking what he must do in order to get into heaven, but it is just as likely—perhaps even more likely—that he is asking what he must do to live out the life of the Kingdom of God. Jesus tells him that the Commandments are a pretty good description of what that kind of life looks like. The ruler presses the question, asking which ones. Jesus responds with the Commandments that focus on how we treat people, summarizing them in the end with “love your neighbor as yourself.”

He thinks he has done this, so he presses the question further, asking what he is still lacking. Jesus responds by saying that if he wants to be perfect (or mature), then that would involve taking his focus off his stuff and prioritizing the needs of the poor, and then come and follow Jesus. The man goes away sad, and Jesus comments on the difficulty that often comes from having lots of resources in the midst of a world where so many do not have enough. 

There are lots of things to reflect on in this story, including how it reminds us that simply refraining from lying, stealing, killing, etc., while certainly good things to avoid, may fall short of a more mature understanding of the life of the Kingdom, which means caring for others as much as we do ourselves. (There is a lot that could be explored further here.) But, for the purposes of our reflections today, it is interesting to notice that Jesus indicates that the life of the Kingdom is best seen being lived out in how we treat those around us. This is also what James reflects in the other Scripture passage for today. As you continue to contemplate these passages, take a few moments to consider the following:

• What do you think about the idea that our religious devotion is most easily seen in how we relate to others and whether or not we genuinely treat all other people with the same consideration, dignity, and grace that we would desire for ourselves?

• Given the value and importance of both, which do you think has a greater impact on the world around us: how faithful we are in the way we worship, or the way in which we faithfully serve others? Explain.

• What do you think about the way that the Scriptures seem to place so much emphasis on the way we love and serve others? (See also Matthew 7:12 for another of Jesus’ summary statements.)

• What would you say to followers of Jesus today who, like the rich young ruler, are conscientious about living according to the Commandments, but who also sometimes benefit from, or may even at times give their support to, things that do not treat people fairly or justly?

• Do you think that the struggle the rich young ruler had was due to the fact that he had a lot of resources, to the way he related to the resources he had and how that impacted the lives of others, or something else? Explain.

Take a few moments to share with God in prayer what is on your heart as you reflect on these passages, the kind of life God invites you to embrace, and whatever else may have surfaced for you.