Through the Bible - Exodus 17-19, Matthew 19:16-30
Good morning,
In today's verse we go to an account that is found in a couple of places in the gospels. Many have considered these verses and gone through all kinds of mental gymnastics to explain that it is possible for rich people to enter the kingdom because there was a "special gate" in Jerusalem which was lower in height than others, where a camel would have to be unloaded and crawl on it's knees if it were to enter. John Piper said in a message about this passage, that he did research on this and never found any verification of this rumored gate.
What could the meaning be?
Matt 19:23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." NKJV
The disciples were astonished as we would be today if told the same thing living in Burlington, they then asked, "who then can be saved?"
Matt 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." NKJV
John Piper writes, "What is Jesus referring to when he says, "This is impossible"? The rich young man had just been unwilling to leave his possessions, and care for the poor and treasure God and follow Jesus. Jesus had said, See how hard it is for a rich man to be converted into a follower of mine. It's as hard as a camel going through a needle's eye. But then the disciples broaden the issue to everybody: "Who then can be saved?" And Jesus in essence says, "The point I am making about the rich is true for everybody. This is not a problem with money. It's a problem with the human heart." So he makes the broad general statement: "With people this is impossible." That is, conversion for everyone is humanly impossible. Who then can be saved? Answer: No one -unless God intervenes to do what is humanly impossible. "
You may not think of this passage as one about missions or our mission, but consider the following. We considered what it meant the other day to come to Christ trusting as a child and what it meant to follow Him where He leads.
A friend and coworker of mine grew up in Ecuador and came to know the Lord as an adult, later moving to the States. One of his sons recently graduated from Moody Bible Institute and (I believe) plans to go on for his doctorate in the hopes of teaching theology.
His older son is now involved in missionwork which has brought him back to Ecuador after living in the United States. Following is part of his testimony:
"Since June 14th, 2007 we have been working with the "It's About Kids" foundation. They have a family of fifteen orphans, a school, and a Jungle ministry. Their family is well taken care of and the school is developing quickly to an outstanding Academy. The Jungle ministry was in need of a missionary family that would take over and develop the ministry there. At first we were conscious of what it would mean to move to a remote area where the culture and environment are foreign even to an Ecuadorian like me. But God worked on us to will His good purpose and now we are eager to move. - " Roberto A. Davalos
God uses those who come to Him and follow Him as children for the mission of reaching rich and poor to do what is humanly impossible, but possible through the power of Christ.
Jer 32:26 Then the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah, saying, 27 "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me? NKJV
I'm reminded of the Steve Green song, "The Mission", the chorus goes like this:
To love the Lord our God
Is the heartbeat of our mission
The spring from which our service overflows
Across the street
Or around the world
The mission's still the same
Proclaim and live the Truth
In Jesus' name
What are you doing to proclaim and live the Truth in Jesus' name? You don't have to go around the world to do so, but you just might.
In Christ,
Mike
Matt 19:16-23
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler
(Mark 10:17-22; Luke 18:18-23)
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him,"Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"
17 So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."
18 He said to Him, "Which ones?"
Jesus said, "'You shall not murder,' 'You shall not commit adultery,' 'You shall not steal,' 'You shall not bear false witness,' 19 'Honor your father and your mother,' and, 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'"
20 The young man said to Him, "All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?"
21 Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me."
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
NKJV
With God All Things Are Possible
(Mark 10:23-31; Luke 18:24-30)
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, "Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, "See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?"
28 So Jesus said to them, "Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first. NKJV
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