The Posture of the Heart
(7 minutes)
"How you approach the King determines what changes in you."
This phrase carried so much weight at the end of our gathering at The Wilderness Place yesterday. Pastor Tim paralleled two familiar stories to show us how our heart posture in our relationship with Jesus matters. It's a sobering question, but one that's worth asking: how am I approaching the King? What is my heart posture like in my own encounters with Abba? As we meditate on these scriptures and thoughts from Sunday, can we be vulnerable and open with Him? Can we be honest about where we are, so He can usher us by His goodness into where we were always meant to be?
The first story that we looked at was that of the rich, young ruler.
As Jesus started on his way, a man came running up to him. Kneeling down in front of him, he cried out, "Good Teacher, what one thing am I required to do to gain eternal life?" (Mark 10:17)
Our first glimpse of this young, wealthy man seems promising. Unlike others who were casually following from a distance, we see him running towards Jesus. His physical posture was one of humility as he kneeled down in front of Jesus, but listen to what comes next. The rich, young ruler cried out, "Good Teacher, what one thing am I...required...to do to gain eternal life?" There is so much in this question that reveals the heart posture of this man, and the heart posture of so many people who are caught up in religious thinking. The first problem is in his perspective of Jesus and this is the first thing that Jesus speaks to.
Jesus responded, "Why do you call me good? Only God is truly good." (Mark 10:18)
Do you see me as a teacher, or do you see me as God? This is a huge question that must be settled in the heart. Like Pastor Tim said on Sunday, "If all I am to you is a teacher, then I'll give you a teacher-answer to your question. But if you see Me as God, then I'll give you a God-answer to your question." God gives us the "right of way" in these conversations. He allows us to have our own beliefs and will, and then He responds to us in the place where we are. So Jesus gives the rich, young ruler the teacher-answer to his question.
"You already know the commandments: 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give a false testimony, do not cheat, and honor your father and mother.'" (Mark 10:19)
But this checklist was already one that the young ruler was familiar with. He had already mastered these items, and still, his heart needed assurance of where he would spend eternity. Because checklists do not have the power to give us confident assurance and hope. Religion only has one message: "Try harder." And that is precisely what the rich, young ruler is here to do. His only goal in this encounter with Jesus is to figure out what else he must do to get the favorable outcome that he desires for his life.
The man said to Jesus, "Teacher, I have carefully obeyed these laws since my youth." (Mark 10:20)
The teacher-answer did not suffice. The unsettled soul of this young man was searching for something new he could check off the list, hoping that it would be the final piece of the puzzle. But the puzzle that religion sells you is never complete. So he tells Jesus that he has already carefully obeyed these laws since he was born. Jesus, what else do you have for me? Then Jesus gives him the God-answer that pierces through the religious facade, straight to the heart of the man.
Jesus fixed his gaze upon the man, with tender love, and said to him, "Yet there is still one thing in you lacking. Go, sell all that you have and give the money to the poor. Then all of your treasure will be in heaven. After you've done this, come back and walk with me." (Mark 10:21)
We need to recognize the sophisticated trap of religion in the life of this rich, young ruler. His physical posture of running towards Jesus and humbly kneeling at his feet seemed right. His careful obedience to the law, all wonderful things, seemed right. He did all of that and still lacked one thing: a heart that valued Jesus more than money. And it's the tender love and kindness of Jesus to put His finger on this thing - the thing that was hindering this man's intimacy with the King.
How did the rich, young ruler respond? When Jesus puts His finger on the thing that was hindering this man's relationship with the Son of God, how did he react? It's in these moments where the heart posture rises to the top and is exposed in us.
Completely shocked by Jesus' answer, he turned and walked away very sad, for he was extremely rich. (Mark 10:22)
This wealthy landowner was finally introduced to the thing he loved most in the world...and it wasn't Jesus. Until this moment, religion made promises to him that never soothed his soul. He lived the majority of his life up to this point believing that he loved God, but all he really loved was himself. This is why Pastor Tim references religion and American Christianity as the most sophisticated trap. Because it convinces you that you love God when the reality is...you only love what God can do for you. God is so much more than a "get out of hell free" card. He desires so much more than that. He's after a fiery love affair - a covenant marriage - a Bride who wants to be made like Him through union with Him. He's after uninterrupted, unbroken companionship. The ones who are not ready for this unconditional, others-centered, self-sacrificing love will always turn back and settle in the land of religion. It bears the appearance of something real but lacks the fruit and restful trust of an authentic relationship with Jesus.
These moments where Jesus puts His finger on something that's getting in the way of our union with Him are beautiful opportunities. These moments where He offends our mind to reveal our heart are significant crossroads in our relationship with Him. They can lead us into an authentic, real relationship with Abba if we let them.
But it requires honesty.
Like Pastor Tim said on Sunday, "You can know the right answers and not know Jesus. You can say the right answers and still not know Jesus. You can build kingdoms and campuses and garner numbers but still not know Jesus."
It all comes down to the heart posture. Is the heart open or closed? Is the heart willing to lay down self, to grab hold of the truth? Is the heart willing to walk away from opinions, theories, and ideas in order to have a real, authentic relationship with Jesus?
Abba is looking at the heart. He's gazing into the deepest parts of us with tender love and He desires to have the most intimate, unbroken fellowship with His beloved sons and daughters.
As we take the walk with Him today, let's open up about our heart posture. Let's be honest with Abba about where we are. We won't be met with wrath and punishment but with perfect love. It's only His goodness that can lead us out and change how we think. But if never allow ourselves to get close to Him in intimacy, what chance do we have of encountering Abba's goodness?
O taste and see that Yahweh is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! (Psalm 34:8)
Abba is extending a personal invitation to you today. Come taste and see for yourself that He is good! He is pure light, and there is no trace of darkness in Him at all. King David is assuring us that Yahweh is a safe place to hide!
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Worship: "You Walk With Me" by Housefires
Honor: Give Online to The Wilderness Place
Share With Us: We would love to hear how you're encountering Abba in your daily walks. Don't hesitate to share what you're hearing, seeing, or sensing in His presence. Email us here!
