Looking at the three temptations of Jesus, Henri Nouwen sees three traps into which you and I often fall.
- I am what I have.
- I am what I do.
- I am what other people think or say about me.
In Luke’s account of the rich young ruler, we see a man stuck in these traps.
“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18)
One of the lies that traps us is “I am what I do.” Here’s a guy coming to Jesus and asking, “What must I do?” So Jesus talks with him about doing the right things and following the law.
And the man replies, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” (Luke 18:21)
What do you think? Is this man perfect? Has he kept all the commandments since he was young? Or is this man publicly declaring his lack of self-awareness? Are his blind spots glaring?
Next, Jesus moves from the trap of “I am what I do” to “I am what I have.”
“Sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor.” (Luke 18:22)
Jesus is trying to help this man out of the trap, but in the moment, it doesn’t seem to work.
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. (Mark 10:22)
Having many possessions was not this man’s problem. His problem was he believed he was defined by his many possessions.
I’m the rich young ruler!
I am what I do.
I am what I have.
I am what other people think or say about me.
In Mark’s account of the rich young ruler, we get one of the best verses in the entire Bible. Right before Jesus challenges this man to give away everything and follow him, we read this:
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. (Mark 10:21)
This man was not perfect. Neither am I. Neither are you. Jesus sees us, imperfections and all. Jesus knows your secret shame. Jesus knows your hidden sin.
And Jesus looks you in the eye and feels genuine love for you!
You are not defined by what you do.
You are not defined by what you have.
You are not defined by what others say about you.
You are defined by the genuine love your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has for you!
Jesus loves you enough to set you free. Jesus loves you enough to save you. Jesus loves you enough to point you to a better way! A deeper truth! A more abundant life!
Reflection:
- Are you more prone to the trap of what you do, what you have, or what others say about you?
- When have you felt the genuine love of Jesus looking you in the eye?