What Kind of Heart?
God told the priest Samuel, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7) The account of the rich young man in Matthew 19:16-30 demonstrates how the Lord deals with
the heart attitudes of man. First, Jesus reveals the unrepentant heart—“If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” (v. 21) The man refused to obey the Lord: “He went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (v. 22); Jesus revealed two things. #1 He was not blameless by the law—he was guilty of loving himself and his possessions more than his neighbors. #2 He lacked true faith—a willingness to obey Jesus’ commands. Jesus was calling the young man to give Him first place in his life. Max Lucado wrote, “The only contribution you make to your righteousness is your own confession and admission of sin.” Second, Jesus responds to the sincere heart—“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (v. 26) In that day, wealth was viewed as proof of God’s approval, so a wealthy person was a good candidate for heaven. Jesus destroyed that misconception: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” (v. 24) The disciples asked the right question in verse 25, “Who then can be saved?” Salvation is only through divine grace, not by works. Third, Jesus reassures the faithful heart—“Everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.” (v. 29) Peter points out that they had already done that: they left all and followed Him; they began a life of faith. And Jesus didn’t rebuke Peter for expecting a reward, but pointed out that “many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (v. 30)
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.