What Motivates You?
“To His faithful followers Christ has been a daily companion and familiar friend. They have lived in close contact, in constant communion with God.” — Christ’s Object Lessons, 421.
Before we start, I encourage everyone to read Luke 18:18–27 and Luke 19:1–10.
We can see in these verses two separate stories about the rich young ruler and Zacchaeus. These Bible characters might not be directly connected to one another, but there is a deeper connection about this topic than what we think it doesn’t.
The Rich Ruler
The placement of these events is just one chapter away from each other. As what you have read on chapter 18, it is the story of a rich ruler who is very interested about acquiring eternal life. We have learned that this person has been a law keeper since his youth. He observes the second partition of the Holy Law of God conscientiously. But instead of Christ going forward by asking and confirming that if he also follows the first partition of God’s commandments, He instead suggested that the ruler lacks one thing. He recommended an act of freely giving what he has. This is an offer that will show his level of self-denial and the genuineness of his acts. The ruler left in anguish! He cannot commit to such an offer of self-denial.
Zacchaeus
Zacchaeus; however, displayed a different approach to Christ. In his scrutiny about who Jesus really was, an unexpected chance to see him has been made possible as Christ passed by a crowded street. Despite Zacchaeus’ physical limitation in stature, he sought to see the Saviour in person. Before he even knew it, Jesus has known the purpose in Zacchaeus’ heart on why he is after Him, a longing for change.
Zacchaeus is a chief tax-collector among the publicans, and he was rich. He lives in Jericho and a descendant of Abraham. Tax-collectors are normally known as abusive and never respected because of their sinister plot of over-calculating the taxes of the people. They are usually hated and seldom loved. They work under the Roman Empire. Imagine that: Zacchaeus, a lineage of Abraham, working under one of the Roman Empire’s most disdainful job positions. Who among the people would love such a person with these attributes listed in his credentials?
Jesus
But as consistent as He can be, Jesus Christ, who is perfect in all His ways sees beyond the horizon of our disarrayed past. The outward appearance and self-centered acts of piety that the rich ruler did in the past does not give him credit of his present status, nor will it secure him a future heavenly home coveted by inconsistent Christians. While that’s the case for the rich ruler, Zacchaeus is the complete opposite. He may be malevolent in the past, a past that has been stamped in the judgmental minds of the people, but a change in his habits is still within reach. Christ said: “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house.” The people are puzzled by the call, they can’t take the fact that Christ will about to dine into a sinner’s house. They have not yet learned that Christ came for sinners to save and not for the righteous to babysit.
What Must Be Our Purpose?
“It is when Christ is received as a personal Saviour that salvation comes to the soul. Zacchaeus had received Jesus, not merely as a passing guest in his home, but as One to abide in the soul temple.” The Desire of Ages, page 555–556
“No sooner did Zacchaeus yield to the influence of the Holy Spirit than he cast aside every practice contrary to integrity. No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin. Every converted soul will, like Zacchaeus, signalize the entrance of Christ into his heart by an abandonment of the unrighteous practices that have marked his life. Like the chief publican, he will give proof of his sincerity by making restitution.” — Conflict & Courage, page 302
“When the rich young ruler had turned away from Jesus, the disciples had marveled at their Master’s saying, “How hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!” They had exclaimed one to another, “Who then can be saved?” Now they had a demonstration of the truth of Christ’s words, “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” They saw how, through the grace of God, a rich man could enter into the kingdom.” — Conflict & Courage, page 302
Our motivation must not be on the add-ons. Though considered as lovely and perfect it is, these material possession that we can obtain and experience in heaven is just but an add-on to the main gift that we can get. That is a personal communion with Christ.
Jesus is the main prize! He is our goal, a personal relationship with Him. To be influenced by His perfect character, that the fruit of the Holy Spirit might be found in us. If this is our foundation in our quest for character development, then we are sure that we are atop a strong foundation. Anything less than this or apart from this is but a shadow of what we ought to seek.
The tree of life, the heavenly mansions, the well-decorated gardens, the golden pathways, the enchanting gates of the New Jerusalem, everything there and more are just the extras. It’s not the main goal or the main motivational entity that will drive us forward in our race. Let’s finish the course with fervent intensity! But never swerve your eyes from our goal. These are beautiful things in Heaven, but this is not our goal.
Instead of asking “what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Let us ask “How can I love Jesus more?”
What motivates you for Heaven? I’ll be happy reading your answers in the comments section below about what really motivates you.
“You contribute nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.” — Jonathan Edwards
