“Jesus longed to see.” That is quite a statement to think upon. It makes you want to know what He longed to see!
A rich young man came to Jesus inquiring what he could do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him to keep the commandments, to which he replied, “All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?” (See Matthew 19:20.) In those words, there was seen no need. “He [Jesus] longed to see in him a humble and contrite heart, conscious of the supreme love to be given to God, and hiding its lack in the perfection of Christ.” The Desire of Ages, 519.
Jesus longs to see in each one of us
A humble heart:
- A heart expressing dependence
- A heart expressing unworthiness
- A heart willing to submit, willing to yield and to be obedient
Did He see this in the young ruler? No. Does He see this humble heart in you? Jesus longs to see
A contrite heart:
- A heart that is broken in spirit because of a sense of sin
- A sincere sorrow for sin
- A deep repentance
Did He see this in the young ruler? No. Does He see a contrite heart in you? To receive the love of God, your supreme love of self must be surrendered and its deficiency hid in the perfection of Jesus.
“Christ read the ruler’s heart. Only one thing he lacked, but that was a vital principle.” Ibid.
Imagine, thinking to keep the commandments for his whole lifetime and yet still lacking the vital principle necessary for his spiritual life and future. Jesus saw in this young man the potential to represent Him and become a divine force among men. “He longed to make him like Himself, a mirror in which the likeness of God would be reflected. …
“He needed the love of God in the soul. This lack, unless supplied, would prove fatal to him; his whole nature would become corrupted.” Ibid.
We too could ask this same question of Jesus. If we give ourselves to Christ, we can grow in the atmosphere of His presence. However, if we choose to remain lacking, refusing the love of God, our whole nature will become corrupt. This means:
- It will decay
- It will be polluted
- It will be perverted
- It will be rotten
Jesus longed to see a willingness to be a coworker—but, sadly, the young man turned away.
- He chose not to receive a humble and contrite heart.
- He chose not to recognize the supreme love to be given to God.
- He chose not to hide his lack in Jesus.
“With what earnest, anxious longing, what soul hunger, did the Saviour look at the young man, hoping that he would yield to the invitation of the Spirit of God!” Ibid., 520.
The young man “wanted eternal life, but would not receive into the soul that unselfish love which alone is life, and with a sorrowful heart he turned away from Christ.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 393.
That same invitation is offered today: “Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Joshua 24:15.
“The Redeemer longed to create in him that discernment which would enable him to see the necessity of heart devotion and Christian goodness.” The Desire of Ages, 519.
But he refused and turned away! What will you do?
Father: I want Jesus to see in me a humble and contrite heart, conscious of the supreme love to be given to Thee. I choose to open my heart fully to receive Christ so I may be transformed into Your likeness, which is my only hope of salvation. Please help me to hide all that I lack in the perfection of Jesus so that I will not become corrupt and lose life eternal as did that young man long ago. Amen.