The Village Councilor

A village councilor lived in Palestine when Jesus lived there. He had plenty of money. He had big gardens. He had plenty of things but he was not happy. This young man was a good man, but he was afraid. He knew he would die one day. He wanted to know he was going to heaven. He wanted to have life-all-the-time. But he did not know how to get it.

One day Jesus came to his village. The village councilor ran to Jesus. He said, "Lord you are a true teacher. I want life-all-the-time. How do I get it? What do I do to get it?" Jesus said to him, "Do you know God's law?" The young man said he had always kept God's law. This young man was good. But he was not happy. He did not have life-all-the-time, and he was afraid. Jesus said to him, "Do you truly want life-all-the-time? Give all your things to the poor people. Then come and follow Me."

The young man was very sad. He loved his money and things very much. He did not want to give them away and follow Jesus. He went away from Jesus, but he was very, very sad. Do you think Jesus was hard? No, Jesus was not hard. Jesus wanted to teach the young man this: the young man loved his things more than he loved God. If he truly wanted life-all-the-time, he must love God with all his heart, and walk God's road. Many people are like this good village councilor. They want life-all-the-time. They want to go to heaven when they die. These people live good lives. They work hard to get money and things. But they forget God. They do not follow Him. If we love money and things too much we soon forget to follow God. Do not be like the village councilor. Give yourself to Jesus. Follow Him truly. Speak to Him these words, "Lord Jesus, I thank You. You gave your life for me. You died to save me from death everlasting. You only can give me everlasting life. I want you. You be my one Master. Help me - I will follow you truly. Amen."

Ref: Matt 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-22, Luke 18:18-23