April 17

Luke 18:22-29

I've been reading on how Jesus spent His last week leading up to His death on the cross.  Today, Judas conspired to hand Jesus over and received 30 pieces of silver for it, (equivalent to about 3,000.00 in today's currency).  Today is also the day that Mary anointed Jesus's feet with expensive oil which was used in traditional Jewish burial services.  Wicked people are conspiring Jesus's death.

In today's reading, Jesus is challenging a rich man Peter, and the disciples to understand the cost of discipleship.  It comes with the price of giving up all earthly attachments.  The rich man wasn't ready to do that, and the disciples thought they had.  They both missed what Jesus was teaching.  Jesus explains it in verses 29-30.  He said that there is nothing worth more on this earth that has value over our eternal life.  This truth was so crucial for us to understand that the King of the Universe left His throne to make a way for us to enter God's Kingdom.  During this week, let's stop for a second and reflect on all that Jesus gave up.  There is nothing I own that compares to His sacrifice.  Neither the 30 pieces of silver or the precious oil Mary put on his feet compared to what he knew what coming on Friday. So as I go through Holy Week and prepare for tomorrow's Passover service which became our Lord's last supper, I find myself reflecting on what it means to follow Jesus.  Whatever He is asking of me, He is worthy of it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEY4TwMXUjU

Randi