Take Up The Cross
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” ( Mark 10:21)
We can make anything an idol if it takes first place in our hearts, a spouse or children, work, hobbies, wealth, fame, beauty, or possessions. Jesus pinpointed the one thing that kept us from experiencing the richness of a relationship with God, money. The remedy for idolatry isn’t a halfway measure. Idols must be ripped out of our hearts and replaced with God Himself. Since money was this man’s idol, Jesus didn’t mince words to sell his stuff and give all the money to the poor. Jesus didn’t tell anyone else to do this, but when He points out an idol in anyone’s life, He requires radical surgery. When we loosen our grip on our idols, we can take up the cross of obedience and loyalty to Christ and follow Him wherever He leads. This is the abundant life in all its riches that only Christ can give.
