(Mark 10:23-52)
23 And Jesus, looking around, said to His disciples, “How hard it will be for those who are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at His words. But Jesus responded again and said to them, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 And they were even more astonished, and said to Him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Looking at them, Jesus said, “With people it is impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with God.”28 Peter began to say to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and have followed You.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or farms, for My sake and for the gospel’s sake, 30 but that he will receive a hundred times as much now in the present age, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and farms, along with persecutions; and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last, first.”
TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:
Society gets it wrong every time, thinking that those who are rich are the greatest and most generous, and those who are well educated are the wisest, and those who are religious and pious must be the most righteous. While someone who is very rich might be able to give big sums of money to charities, they may be only giving a fraction of a percent of their income. While someone with many degrees might be able to write many best sellers, etc., they may be using their knowledge to manipulate and take advantage of people and systems. While someone who is religious may be leading people astray with meaningless rituals and empty promises. Another outlook that is also wrong, is assuming that the poor are more righteous. But these are all just judgements based on outward appearances.
I've heard some pastors and writers say that the eye of the needle refers to a gate in Jerusalem that was fairly narrow. And a camel could go through that, but if it was carrying many packages, the packages would have to be unloaded first, and then the camel could go through. Well, it's an imagery that may have a point about being repentant- BUT- verse 25 is referring to a literal eye of a sewing needle. Duh! Of course it would be impossible for a camel to go through that! But with God, that would be possible! THAT is extra amazing!
In one's own efforts, even if one sold everything and gave it all to the poor, and then focused on following the biblical laws fervently, and saying all the right things... it would be impossible to get into heaven! The only possible way to get into heaven is to go to the Lord and repent, accepting Him into our hearts and lives, making Him Lord of our lives!
In our personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ, He is the one who changes us from the inside out, to equip us and use us to accomplish great things according to His purpose. He is the one who gives us His indwelling Holy Spirit forever, to guide us in His truth and wisdom, to help us understand how to appropriately apply the knowledge that we have. He is the one who covers us with His righteousness, completes us, fulfills us and satisfies us.
As Christianity is a relationship with God, the Lord desires that we continuously, constantly look to Him, rely on Him, and trust in Him for everything. Earning and having money is not a sin, but loving money is, so no matter what our income is, let's understand that it all comes from God, and He will provide, so we can be content in all things. Being smart and educated is not a sin, but thinking that we are smart enough to figure things out in our own thinking... think again! God desires that we ask Him for His omniscient wisdom and guidance, because He cares and knows what is best. Obviously, following God's laws and directions is a very good thing, but if we are only going through the motions, it is meaningless. Whatever we do, do it in the Lord's righteousness, in His strength, and all to His glory.
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