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Matt. 19
The rich young man who came to Jesus asking about eternal life was, by his own word, obedient to the commandments. So what made him think that he still lacked something? Somehow he knew that he wasn’t doing enough; that he wasn’t complete. I also wonder what he was thinking of when he asked about eternal life. Maybe he was simply thinking of immortality. Or maybe he was thinking of never losing all that he had. Whatever the case, he certainly didn’t understand it for the great treasure that is. If he had, he would have willingly let go of all that he had to be with Jesus.
Jer. 5-6
What sins has Israel committed? What judgment is coming? And what mercy? When is shame an appropriate response (v. 15)? What happens when we “don’t even know how to blush?” From top to bottom, God’s people had gone their own way. They were all living to serve self. What makes it worse is that they had convinced themselves that they were doing no wrong in it. They served God in pretense while doing their own thing and they felt no shame in it. “The prophets prophesy lies, the priests rule by their own authority, and my people love it this way.” (Jer. 5:31a).
God is not fooled by our empty actions or by the lies we tell ourselves and others. He knows our hearts. And the hard truth is that our hearts are not good. Left to our own devices, we will ultimately choose self over God. God is just in asking, “Why should I forgive you?” (Jer. 5:7a). Yet He is also merciful. He said, “If you can find but one person who deals honestly and seeks the truth, I will forgive this city.” (Jer. 5:1b). Knowing He wouldn’t find any, He graciously provided One.