A Disciple Who Commits

Considering children and the wealthy creates a stark contrast that highlights the way we must come to God. Luke points to Jesus’s interactions with both groups to expose our hearts. When we think of children, we think of an innocent, humble dependence that is not afraid to express a need. In contrast, the wealthy bring to mind a more complex and arrogant self-dependence. Jesus encourages his disciples to allow the children to come to Him. He notes that everyone who comes to Him comes with the same demeanor as a child, in simple faith and dependence. But the wealthy have too much to consider. The rich young ruler had too much stuff to be willing to give up his wealth to follow Jesus. The wealthy start to worry when they must sacrifice their comforts or lay aside their money. In both situations, the response to Jesus reveals the heart. The children trust Him and come to Him. The wealthy ruler trusts himself and his money and turns away. Both situations picture the parable Jesus told earlier about the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee missed justification because he trusted himself. The tax collector cried out for mercy in faith and received justification. We must respond to Jesus like the needy children and the tax collector. We do this even as we fight the self-righteousness of the Pharisee and the wealthy that is in us all. Only Jesus can justify; wealth cannot. –Pastor Rory 

Sunday at Liberty

9AM: Issues of Conscience: Holidays–Romans 14:5-7

10AM: Pastor Nate–A Disciple Who Commits–Luke 18:15-34 (sermon notes)

6PM: Evening Gathering at the Kailas’–Psalm 49