Forward Movement is an official, non-profit agency of the Episcopal Church whose mission is to create compelling content for Christian living. Since 1935 we have published the quarterly devotional Forward Day by Day, as well as pamphlets, booklets, and books that encourage and nourish people in their lives of prayer and faith.
WEDNESDAY, August 12 (Florence Nightingale)
Mark 10:17-31. Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?
This question is asked of Jesus by someone who thought he already knew the answer. By combining the various gospel accounts of this encounter, we can surmise that the questioner was young and rich, a temple official who had achieved success, profess-ionally and religiously, at an early age. He was so sure of himself that he wanted only to gain Jesus' confirmation of his righteousness. And so he asks, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He knew the answer, or at least he thought he knew: keep the commandments of Torah. When Jesus confirmed that this was important, he confidently answered, "I have done all this." What he expected was praise. What he got was a challenge to give up what he loved more than God--his wealth and his prestige.
We are told that he went away sorrowful for he could not let go of these things. He had worked so hard for them, and in the eyes of the world they were important.
In the eyes of God the only thing important is our unfettered love. What do you love more than God?
PRAY for the Diocese of Saldanha Bay (Southern Africa)
Ps 101, 109 * 119:121-144; 2 Samuel 14:21-33; Acts 21:15-26
View the daily Lectionary Readings at Satucket.com.
Or view the Bible passages at Biblegateway.com.
Some people suggest giving this up because it distracts me from God, I believe it draws me closer to God.
Some people suggest giving this up because it distracts me from God, I believe it draws me closer to God.
A Meditation for Pentecost
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