Idols always promise one thing and deliver another. Idols are liars and cannot do what they promise (check out Psalm 115:4-8). The example within today’s text displays a man who clearly had an idol of wealth in his life. It had led him to a place of what seems like self-sufficiency. It is critical to know that Jesus looked at this man and “loved him.” While Jesus did speak directly to this man, he also did so in love by inviting him to reject the idol and follow him.

This man’s sin is not all that different from things that we do as well. When we place anything on the throne of our heart other than God that is idolatry. What we place on our heart becomes what we set our sights on (Ezekiel 14:3-6). What we behold is also what we become. Pastor Alex gave us an illustration of putting our hand in front of our face and trying to see what is in front of us. Our hand blocks our sight and we end up only seeing our hand. Those things end up in our view because we set our hearts on something other than Jesus.

In verse 21 Jesus gives some clear instructions to the man in the text. Go, sell, give, and follow. What is your response when God exposes your idols? Go, repent and get rid of the thing that you have set up as an idol in your life and follow Him (Psalm 139:23-24).

Here is the great news…there is hope for every sinner! God made a way through Jesus (John 14:6). Jesus went to the cross and took on our sin so that we can be forgiven and reconciled to God! Through the power of the Holy Spirit God can and will bring the idols low in our lives to see fully the face of God allowing us to behold and become like Him.

As we reflect today, here are a few questions to discuss: