Matthew 19:23-26 / Mark 10:23-27 / Luke 18:24-27…
It won’t work, unless…
It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus wasn’t saying that if someone was rich on earth they will not be in heaven. He was teaching us that entering the kingdom of God by relying on material wealth is impossible. Unfortunately, people with possessions have a natural tendency to want to earn their way in. But trying hard enough simply won’t work. There is no way to buy, merit, earn, or deserve God’s grace.
And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” They thought that surely, if anyone could be saved, it would be the rich. But riches are often a hindrance to dependence on God (Luke 6:24-25). On the other hand, a poor person is spiritually in a better position to receive the gospel (James 2:5). A poor person can’t look to wealth to shield him from the reality of his spiritual poverty. Poor people have their worries, just as wealthy people do. But poverty is a blessing in disguise when it makes it harder for a person to maintain the illusion of control, and easier to see his need for God.
With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God. Jesus’ answer says a lot. Salvation is only possible by the means of a miracle. And that miracle must be performed by God. Indeed, God can work the miracle of conversion even in a rich person’s heart. It can happen for you when you renounce your works as deserving of God’s favor.
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Thank you Lord for unmerited favor through Jesus Christ our Lord! Amen!
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