We are all looking for shortcuts, aren’t we? We want a diet pill to lose weight, a get rich quick scheme to make money, a drive up window to get our food faster–you get the idea. So it makes sense that this rich young man wanted to know what one “good” thing he had to do to have eternal life. He wanted to live forever and knew that was something his money couldn’t buy.
I loved Jesus’ response. Good? There is only One who is “good.” Our good Heavenly Father. Chris Tomlin has a great song called “Good Good Father” and you can listen HERE.
According to Jesus, the way to the “good life”, that is eternal life, is to obey the commandments, give your riches to the poor, and follow him (Jesus). That seems simple enough. Those would be “good” things to do. The rich young man had hope at first, because he was obeying the commandments Jesus spoke of. But then the rich young man was saddened because he wasn’t ready to give up his riches.
This is true for many people. We hold on to our “stuff” with all our might. We can’t imagine a life without the comforts of life, having money in the bank, investments ready to protect us. That is why Jesus said it’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.
Picturing a camel going through the eye of a needle is a bit tricky. Maybe it’s another hyperbole like moving mountains with your faith. As I understand it, there was a rock formation the listeners would be familiar with called the “eye of the needle”, a very thin crevice that was hard to pass through. Is it impossible for a camel to pass through? No. But very difficult.
The disciples were astonished by Jesus’ words. Then Jesus said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible. ” This verse has been taken out of context many times. In another translation, everything is “all things.” Whether “everything” or “all things,” God has the ultimate power. It is in his discretion, however, to make all things happen. Therefore, Matthew 19:26 should be a verse you put into memory and call upon in times of weakness. God can turn possibilities into realities.
Jesus is giving us a wake-up call here as the chapter comes to a close. “But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” I don’t know where you stand in terms of your “class” or “status” in this world. You may be the top CEO of your company, or you may be the clerk in the mail room. You may have the biggest house on the block, or you may be living in a tiny apartment.
When the time comes, God will know our hearts. He will see how we have lived our lives. He will know his followers. The decision whether we enter the Kingdom of God is God’s alone. Have we left behind the ways of the world to follow Jesus? Have we been generous and loving? Where do we put our trust?
Take some time today to think about your priorities. Could you walk away from all that you own? Could you sell all that you have and give it to the poor? What is holding you back?
Let’s pray. Lord, I don’t want to think about eternity without you. I want to live my life in a way that is honoring to you. I want to be open and ready to give away all that I have and follow you. Create in me a clean heart, ready to be generous. Help me to look beyond myself and my own desires. May I see the world as you see it. Use me to be a light to show others the way to life with you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
