September 12, 2026 - Mark 10-13

In today’s reading, there’s the story of the rich young man who sought to justify himself before Jesus by claiming that he had obeyed all the commandments and, essentially, then, was without sin.  Jesus knew better.  Still, “Jesus, looking at him, LOVED HIM, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’” (10:21; emphasis mine).  This report by Mark got me thinking about the love of Jesus.  I was recently asked if I have ever doubted my salvation.  I am not happy with my quick response, something like, “Not really, I think.  There have been times when I have not walked as closely with the Lord as I should and, in those times, I guess I just didn’t think about it.  Thus, I probably had no doubt but neither did I have assurance.  Just didn’t think about it.”  What a terrible answer!  I should have said something like, “Of course, I have had moments when I struggled with faith.  But my struggles, no matter their duration, have always brought me back to this truth:  In Christ, God has loved me with an everlasting love that does not wax or wane depending on the sort of day I have had.”  Back to this young man, though he sought to justify himself before the Lord, still Jesus loved him and called him to follow.  I don’t know if this young man ever came back to Christ but I do know that he went away disheartened and sorrowful.  Perhaps that sorrow eventually led him back to the Savior whose love would keep him forever, and he would join the multitudes from the ages who have known the love of Jesus.

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus—

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free—

Rolling as a mighty ocean

In its fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me

Is the current of His love—

Leading onward, leading homeward

To His glorious rest above.   -- S. Trevor Francis (1902)