Ezekiel 18-19
James 4
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Matthew 19:25-26
With the rich young ruler’s back to them, walking the opposite direction, Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” We could imagine this statement was followed with the disciples’ silence, which prompted Jesus to say, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” At this, the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:23-25).
To the disciples, the rich young ruler seemed to have it all. He was a “good neighbour,” an obedient Jew and had the “good life,” being blessed by God with great wealth. The disciples were perplexed because if the rich young ruler who was obedient to the commandments and had a blessed life could not enter the kingdom of heaven, who then could be saved?
Jesus answered His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As we consider Jesus’s response, there is a two-fold application. Firstly, no matter how hard humanity tries to be obedient to God’s commandments, they will fall short and need a Saviour. In fact, Jesus was on His way to the cross for that very reason. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” It is impossible for humanity to save themselves before a Holy God; only God can save humanity.
Secondly, Jesus is saying that apart from Him, it is impossible. If the rich young ruler had leaned into Jesus and depended on Him, he could have done it. If he had trusted Jesus and demonstrated faith, he could have been set free from his attachment to wealth. In other words, Jesus is actually teaching us that anything is possible for the one who believes; if we depend upon His resources at work within us, we can all walk in a newness of life. Apart from Jesus, we cannot be obedient or generous. In fact, left to ourselves, we are narcissistic, self-centred and hoarding. Yet, when Christ comes into our life, what is impossible all of a sudden becomes possible as His power and His energy starts to animate and change our disposition. When we place our faith in Jesus, we come out of our captivity into His liberty, fullness and freedom.
Lord Jesus Christ, it is not my good behaviour or my wealth that can grant me salvation and eternal life. Only by Your grace I am saved. Thank You, Lord.
James 4
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ Matthew 19:25-26
With the rich young ruler’s back to them, walking the opposite direction, Jesus told His disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven.” We could imagine this statement was followed with the disciples’ silence, which prompted Jesus to say, “Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” At this, the disciples asked, “Who then can be saved?” (Matthew 19:23-25).
To the disciples, the rich young ruler seemed to have it all. He was a “good neighbour,” an obedient Jew and had the “good life,” being blessed by God with great wealth. The disciples were perplexed because if the rich young ruler who was obedient to the commandments and had a blessed life could not enter the kingdom of heaven, who then could be saved?
Jesus answered His disciples, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). As we consider Jesus’s response, there is a two-fold application. Firstly, no matter how hard humanity tries to be obedient to God’s commandments, they will fall short and need a Saviour. In fact, Jesus was on His way to the cross for that very reason. Ephesians 2:8-9 tells us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” It is impossible for humanity to save themselves before a Holy God; only God can save humanity.
Secondly, Jesus is saying that apart from Him, it is impossible. If the rich young ruler had leaned into Jesus and depended on Him, he could have done it. If he had trusted Jesus and demonstrated faith, he could have been set free from his attachment to wealth. In other words, Jesus is actually teaching us that anything is possible for the one who believes; if we depend upon His resources at work within us, we can all walk in a newness of life. Apart from Jesus, we cannot be obedient or generous. In fact, left to ourselves, we are narcissistic, self-centred and hoarding. Yet, when Christ comes into our life, what is impossible all of a sudden becomes possible as His power and His energy starts to animate and change our disposition. When we place our faith in Jesus, we come out of our captivity into His liberty, fullness and freedom.
Lord Jesus Christ, it is not my good behaviour or my wealth that can grant me salvation and eternal life. Only by Your grace I am saved. Thank You, Lord.
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