Daily Devotional | Meet the Target

If you’ve ever played darts or tried your hand at archery, you know the goal is deceptively simple: get your dart or arrow in the bullseye. But it is harder than it may initially seem. In lesson planning, the most critical step is establishing the lesson’s objective or target. Defining the target, or the desired outcome of the lesson, is essential for true learning to take place.

During Jesus’ time on earth, every single thing He did and said was purposeful. In Mark 10, Jesus was teaching the Pharisees and “crowds of people” (v. 1). Many subjects were brought up, including reasons for divorce, receiving the kingdom of God like an innocent child, and the perils of riches.

One man in the audience, however, struggled to meet the target and learn what Jesus was teaching. The rich young ruler asked: “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (v. 17). Jesus took a minute to review what the man already knew, all of the commandments he had carefully learned (vv. 18, 19). From the young man’s perspective, it seemed he had more than passed the test.

But Jesus showed him otherwise. Despite his efforts to keep the commandments, the young man was not meeting the target. Jesus reveals that he was unwilling to take the next step. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor” (v. 21). The text tells us that “he went away sad, because he had great wealth” (v. 22). By his actions, the rich young man showed that he was not as devoted to God as he had thought.

>> What about you? Are you open to what God is teaching you? When work responsibilities are overwhelming, when a child is ill, when we just feel sad, or even when all seems well ...remember your primary target: trust Christ and serve Him with all your heart.

Pray with Us

Today’s devotional encourages us to trust Christ in all situations. Ask Him to give you faith to believe that “all things are possible with God” (Mark 10:27).

BY Mary Martin, Former Professor of Christian School Education

Dr. Mary Martin previously served at Moody as program head of Christian School Education and chair of the Education and Counseling division. She has also served as a classroom teacher, principal, and head of school. Mary is the author of Impacting Student Learning through Christ-Centered Instructional Leadership and currently resides in North Carolina with her husband, Michael. She speaks at numerous education conferences each year and loves mentoring Moody graduates.