One Thing

Curly, played by Jack Palance in the movie "City Slickers," said "the secret to life is this."  Then he held up one finger. The secret was found in one thing.  When asked what the one thing was, he said, "That's for you to find out."

A young man came to Jesus and he asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life and Jesus said to him, "You know the commandments." To which he replied, "I have kept them since a child."  Then Jesus said, “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me" (Mark 10:21).

There was this one thing that this young man held on to that prevented him from accepting the one thing he really needed.  In his case it was wealth. Wealth is a head turner. It turned his head away from being a disciple who would have been a part is Jesus' earthly ministry.  This one thing kept him from the company of men such Peter, James and John.

What is the one thing in your life for which you would pass on being a follower of Jesus?  What is that one thing, if asked to give up, would cause you to walk away sadly?  For some it is wealth, for others fame, it might family, perhaps a position, maybe it is pride.  What is the one thing that you just couldn't leave behind in order to follow Jesus?

We all struggle with this question - that is our humanity. But our goal, our aim in life must be to put Jesus first. And, when a line is drawn in the sand between Jesus and anything or anyone else, it is important, it is essential, that we choose Jesus. Even when your family draws the line, you must choose him. If you don't, how can you lead them to the Savior?  Even when big money is on the line. If you don't choose him, how can he bless you with true fortune?

This one thing is the real path of the disciple, like the young man, "In the same way, those of you who do not give up everything you have cannot be my disciples" (Luke 14:33).

Jus' Sayn.