An empty shell

As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother. “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Mark 10:17-22

I have a book on my desk that was given to me over 30 years ago. I look at the book from time to time and I always think it is a pretty book. It is black with a gold design on the front and it is just the right size for carrying. If I let you look at my book you would probably think it is a thrilling mystery novel or maybe a book of philosophy with many answers to the world’s problems. However, if you opened the book you would find that all the pages are blank. It is an impostor, a fraud, a pretty shell that is empty on the inside. On the outside, the book appears to be interesting and full of life-changing information, but with a closer look at the inside you find it is empty.

There are many people that live their life on this earth like my book. When you first meet them, you see the outward appearance, hear their words, and begin to admire them. You may even try to impress them by acting and speaking like them. However, when you look inside you find they are empty. On the outside they appear to be living the model life. When you hear them speak you believe they are filled with the Jesus that gives us abundant life. You soon find out they are also an impostor, a fraud, a pretty shell that is sadly empty on the inside.

The man in the story from Mark is an empty shell. He runs to Jesus and falls on his knees before Him and asks, “What must I do to inherit eternal life?”. Jesus points out that he already knows the commandments and the man says, “I have kept these since I was a boy”. The man appeared to be a good man and I am sure his friends believed he was a committed follower of Jesus. The sad part of the story comes when Jesus tells him he lacks one thing. Jesus tells the man to sell everything he owns, give the money to the poor, and then he will have treasure in heaven. He then tells the man to leave everything and follow Him. The verses say when the man heard Jesus’ words his face fell and he went away sad. The man was like the book on my desk. He had the outward appearance of a true follower, but when Jesus looked inside he found a man that loved his wealth more and was empty.

I prayed today that we all, regardless of our outward appearance, will be filled with the love of and for Jesus. Ask Him to fill you every day with His words, His expressions, and His thoughts. He promises to do so and when people look inside of you they will see Him.

Chad