Ebenezer Wooten had just concluded a preaching service. As the crowd dispersed, he was approached by a young man who asked, "Mr. Wooten, what must I do to be saved?" Sensing that the fellow was trusting his own righteousness, Wooten answered in a rather unconcerned way, “It is too late!â€� The inquirer was startled. “Oh, do not say that, Sir!â€� But the evangelist insisted, “It is too late!â€�. Then, looking the young man in the eye, he continued, “You want to know what you must DO to be saved. I tell you it is too late now or any other time. The work of salvation is done, completed, finished! It was finished on the cross. Our part is simply to acknowledge our sin and receive by faith the gift of forgiveness."²

When the rich, young ruler asked Jesus a similar question in Mark 10, Jesus explained to the man that he must sell all that he has and follow Him. It was too late. Jesus had sensed that the young ruler had been trusting in his own righteousness for he was quick to mention that he had obeyed all of the commandments since he was a boy (v.20). The challenge Jesus gave to the man was to take it a step furtherâ€"Do not just seek eternal life, follow me. Before he tells the young man what he is still lacking, it says, "Jesus looked at him and loved him." (v.21) Jesus loved him no matter his decision. Jesus asked the rich man to give up his riches knowing that it was in that wealth where his heart lay.

Is there anything keeping you from truly following Jesus? No matter where you are right now, Jesus loves you. There is nothing we can DO to earn salvation… It is too late. The death of Jesus on the cross already made it possible. His salvation is free. It is a gift to be received. It was paid for by the blood of Jesusâ€"the ultimate gesture of His love for us!

Suggested prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for loving me in spite of my selfishness. Today, I leave behind anything that is keeping me from following you with my whole heart. Thank you for your sacrifice so that I might have the gift of salvation. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen.

1.    Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).

2.    Author unknown.

Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.