Infant or Rich: “Which one would you rather be?”
S–Luke 18:17 “Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it. “
H—In the translation I read this morning it uses the word “infant” to describe the children being brought to Jesus and the disciples try to stop it from happening but then Jesus says, “let the little children come to me.” Jesus has to be referring to the same children which would mean He is referring to the “infants.” After Jesus says “that anyone who wants to inherit Kingdom of God must receive like a little child” He goes into a story about rich ruler who also wants eternal life. Jesus tells him to sell his possessions to the poor, follow Jesus and he will inherit eternal life. But the rich ruler is sad because he really likes his stuff. Jesus uses an infant vs. a rich ruler to show God’s economy and which one is ready to inherit the Kingdom of God.
A—Why is
a an infant more fit for the Kingdom of God and not the rich young ruler.? Think about it; the infant has nothing to give up; the infant has no idea of value of material goods; the infant doesn’t see worldly wealth; the infant is not impressed with worldly wealth; the infant doesn’t have any status; the infant only has the hands of Jesus wrapped about him. I wish I could say that I resemble the infant but that would be less then honest. I am the rich young ruler and so are you. Perhaps it is not that I posess my possessions; perhaps my possessions posess me and Jesus know that if my possessions posess me then He cannot. I have a choice. I can give up being possessed by my possessions, be possessed by Jesus, and inherit eternal life or I can be possessed my possessions and stay separated from Jesus. Which one will you choose? Perhaps the scripture should read to us, “it is very hard for people in America (if you are reading this blog you are the rich young ruler….you have access to internet, computer, time to surf net, knowledge to do it…..we are the rich young ruler) to inherit the Kingdom of God because they are a people that are in love with their possessions more then me.”
P—Jesus I come to you this morning not pretending that I love my possessions. I do, in fact, I could spend all of my time playing with the current toys I have or searching for new toys to buy. But yet I hear a call from you today to a better way; you’re way. Jesus I desire not to be the rich young ruler that is not willing to give it all up to follow you but I desire to be an infant that can’t even control his own bowels but is able to welcome and receive your loving embrace. Give me the strength and courage to be a baby and to receive the gift of eternal life that you are offering to me. Amen.
E—I’m excited about being a diaper wearing infant instead of the cool, rich guy with a bunch of toys.
Peace,
Pastor P
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