Paul Smithson
A wealthy young man ran up to Jesus and asked the greatest
question anyone can ask, "What must I do to obtain eternal
life?" (Mk. 10:17-27). Jesus in reply pointed out the necessity
of obedience to God's commands saying, "You know the
commandments, Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not
steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your
father and mother" (v.19). The young man said, "Teacher I have
kept all of these things from my youth up." The text then says,
"Looking at him, Jesus felt a love for him..." (vv. 20,21).
Because Jesus loved him He plainly pointed out the one thing
that was holding him back from eternal life saying, "Go and
sell all you possess and give it to the poor, and you shall have
treasure in heaven' and come and follow Me." At Jesus' words
the young man's " face fell, and he went away grieved..." (vv.
21,22)
The "one thing" that the young man lacked was his total
allegiance to the Lord. Though he was a good, moral man, there
was one part of his life he had not given to the Lord. "One
thing" stood in his way, his love of material things.
When this young man went away grieved, Jesus looking
around said to His disciples, "How hard it will be for those who
are wealthy to enter the kingdom of God!' And the disciples
were amazed at His words" (v. 23). How many today are amazed at
these words?
Many who claim to be Christians will be disappointed when
they fail to inherit eternal life because they allowed riches to
come between them and their full allegiance to Christ. We must
realize that it is hard for the rich to go to heaven, and that
most of us in this country are rich in many ways. Oh, we might
not be millionaires, but you don't have to be a millionaire to
be rich, nor do you have to be a millionaire to allow riches to
keep you out of heaven.
To further emphasize this fact Jesus continued, "Children
how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a
camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to
enter the kingdom of God.' And they were even more astonished
and said to Him, 'Then who can be saved?" (v. 24). How hard is
it for a rich person to enter into heaven? Well, how hard is it
to get a camel through the eye of an needle? It is impossible
isn't it. We too might ask, "Lord if that is the case who can
be saved? Who then can ever enter into heaven?"
Jesus, looking upon the disciples said, "With man it is
impossible, but not with God; for all things are possible with
God" (v. 27). It is impossible for man by his own ability to go
to heaven. Yet, nothing is impossible for God. He has a means
of saving man, even a rich man.
However, the point is the rich man's heart must be changed,
his heart must be attached to the true riches, treasure in
heaven, instead of the material things of this world. It's
not easy for anyone to enter the kingdom of God. As Jesus
stated in Matt. 7:14, "The gate is small, and the way is narrow
that leads to life, and few are those who find it." It is
especially difficult for the rich; the reason being, it is hard
for those who have riches not to trust in them.
When we love and trust in material things we rely on
ourselves and not God, which makes it impossible to enter the
kingdom of heaven. In fact, it would be easier for a camel to
go through the eye of an needle! Whether you possess a little
or a lot of this world's possessions the only way to inherit
eternal life is to completely submit your life to Jesus by
obeying His commandments and use whatever you have to the glory
of God. Do not let "one thing" stand between you and eternal
life.
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