Matthew 19:16-26
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And 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 mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The man asked Jesus a simple question: "what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" (verse 16). This is a question that many of us have asked, wondering if there was some behavior we could do to ensure going to heaven. Sometimes our guilt about past sins causes us to search for some great deed that we can do to make up for our sins and tip the scales in our favor. But Jesus gives an answer that startles even his closest followers: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (verse 26). I typically like practical steps that I can take to accomplish something, as it gives me a sense of control and confidence. But God is not interested in me being comfortably in control. He wants me to learn to trust Him in faith. Jesus does not give the rich young ruler an easy path, but challenges him to set aside his idol of money (verse 21), for whatever we idolize must be put aside to follow God. It may seem difficult or even impossible to give up our idols, but Jesus also offers us hope, that "with God all things are possible" (verse 26). This is the truth that we need to cling to when we feel hopeless and ashamed.
Jesus, thank you that with God all things are possible.
16 And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” 17 And he said to him, “Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to him, “Which ones?” And 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 mother, and, You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 20 The young man said to him, “All these I have kept. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.” 25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
The man asked Jesus a simple question: "what good deed must I do to have eternal life?" (verse 16). This is a question that many of us have asked, wondering if there was some behavior we could do to ensure going to heaven. Sometimes our guilt about past sins causes us to search for some great deed that we can do to make up for our sins and tip the scales in our favor. But Jesus gives an answer that startles even his closest followers: "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (verse 26). I typically like practical steps that I can take to accomplish something, as it gives me a sense of control and confidence. But God is not interested in me being comfortably in control. He wants me to learn to trust Him in faith. Jesus does not give the rich young ruler an easy path, but challenges him to set aside his idol of money (verse 21), for whatever we idolize must be put aside to follow God. It may seem difficult or even impossible to give up our idols, but Jesus also offers us hope, that "with God all things are possible" (verse 26). This is the truth that we need to cling to when we feel hopeless and ashamed.
Jesus, thank you that with God all things are possible.