TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
A certain ruler asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” Luke 18:18
Read: Luke 18:18-30
Listen: Luke 18
TODAY’S MESSAGE
A wealthy young man approaches Jesus with a simple question. He wants to know how he can have eternal life. On the outside, this man has it all together. He has money, position and power. He follows God’s way and appears to do the right things. He’s a good man. Yet his question reveals insecurity. He’s looking for something more real. He seems to wonder if all his good work is enough. Jesus sees the deeper struggle within this man’s heart. The young man has misplaced his trust.
Jesus brings the young man to a choice, and it’s one we all make at some point. Will we trust our good works for our identity and to be right with God? Or will we place our trust entirely in Jesus? Jesus’s encounter with this young man reveals that we can never be good enough on our own. We will always be lacking, and insecurity will gnaw at our hearts.
This week we will see a snapshot of what trust in Jesus requires. Jesus looks into our hearts, too, and sees what keeps us from following him. We must decide whether we will trust in people, possessions or positions OR place our trust in Jesus alone. On our own, it is impossible. Yet God doesn’t leave us on our own. When we come to Jesus and admit we can never be good enough—he transforms us from the inside out. In Jesus, we find the real life we are seeking.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
If you’ve never placed your trust in Jesus now is the time. Pray and tell Jesus you trust him and the work he did for you on the cross. Admit that you can never be good enough on your own, but you believe that you can be right with God through Jesus’s death and resurrection. If you’ve placed your trust in Jesus, thank him for transforming you and giving you real life now and for eternity.
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
PROVERBS 3:5–6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
