This man had the right posture. Some may have called it theatrics, running and falling at Jesus’ feet like that. Was he humble? Not for me to judge, but he was prostrating himself before God in the flesh – the God who knew his heart.

 

He told Jesus he had kept the commandments since his youth. The Scriptures say that Jesus looked at him and loved him.

 

I find it interesting that Jesus challenged him on the one thing that held his heart captive: wealth. Not only did the young man fall on his knees, but then his face fell too –and he left Jesus sad. Of all those who encountered Jesus, he is the only one explicitly recorded as going away sad.

 

Another man who ran was Zacchaeus. Short in stature and reputation, he had heard that Jesus was coming to town and sought a vantage point to see him. He ran to a sycamore-fig tree – and he met Jesus. Zacchaeus sure did meet Jesus and he told him that he was coming to his house that day.

 

Luke 19:8 records how he was willing to give his possessions away: ‘But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.”’

 

One soul glad, the other sad. What about you, where do you stand? Is there something in your heart that, if challenged by Jesus, would leave you feeling sad?

 

The young man seemed to have a proper religious upbringing – the commands had been impressed upon him since he was a child, probably by devout parents. But sadly, wealth had seemingly become the trappings of an earthly life.

 

Zacchaeus on the other hand, had a less illustrious path to Jesus. As a tax collector – he was despised by the people. In their eyes, he was a sinner if ever there was one. Even that day, they were muttering about how sinful he was.

 

I believe, it is not how you start, but how you respond when you come face to face with the Lord of Lords. And he has untold resources, which he lavishly pours out on those who admit spiritual bankruptcy and choose him. Jesus once said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit,hfor theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:3)

 

Prayer: Father God, please help us with our sometimes errant hearts. May we always be on the lookout for idols that threaten our eternal relationship with you. Amen .