{"id":9817,"date":"2026-08-13T10:30:49","date_gmt":"2026-08-13T08:30:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=9817"},"modified":"2026-08-13T10:30:51","modified_gmt":"2026-08-13T08:30:51","slug":"jesus-does-not-force-him","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/predication.net\/?p=9817","title":{"rendered":"Jesus does not force him."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He respects his freedom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man came looking for eternal life. Eternal life was standing before him in the person of Jesus Christ. Yet when he discovered the price of discipleship, he turned away.nd notice: he went away sad.<\/strong>This tells us something important about the human heart. We often believe that happiness consists in holding tightly to what we possess. But sometimes the very things we refuse to surrender become the source of our sadness.<\/h2>\n

We say: \u201cI cannot live without this.\u201d<\/h2>\n

Jesus says: \u201cTrust me. There is something greater.We say: \u201cI cannot give this up.\u201dJ<\/h2>\n

esus says: \u201cFollow me, and you will find treasure in heaven.\u201d<\/h2>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. The Gospel asks for a decision<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Dear brothers and sisters, perhaps today Jesus is not asking us to sell our house or give away everything we own. But he certainly asks each of us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Is there something standing between you and me?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps it is attachment to money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps an old resentment we refuse to forgive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps a sinful habit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps pride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps excessive concern about what other people think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps fear of the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps we want to follow Christ \u2014 but only as long as he does not interfere too much with our plans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Then Jesus says to us what he said to the young man:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cCome, follow me.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

He does not promise that following him will always be easy. But he promises something greater than comfort: life with him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The young man possessed many things, but he lacked one thing \u2014 the freedom to put Christ above everything else.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we therefore ask ourselves today:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLord, what do I still lack? What prevents me from following you more completely?\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And when Jesus shows us the answer, may we not go away sad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

May we have the courage to let go of whatever separates us from him and say:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cLord Jesus, you are my true treasure. Teach me to use the things of this world without becoming their slave. Free my heart from everything that keeps me from you. Give me the courage to follow you wherever you lead, for in you alone I find the fullness of life.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

He respects his freedom. The young man came looking for eternal life. Eternal life was standing before him in the person of Jesus Christ. 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