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Luke 18:18-30
This is the story of the rich young ruler. He came to Jesus excited about learning how he could inherit eternal life. When Jesus spoke to him about following the commandments, he replied that he had followed them since his childhood. Jesus explains to the young man that he still lacks one thing and requests that he sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. Jesus instructs the young man that in doing this he will have treasure in heaven and that he should then come to Jesus and follow Him.
The young man became very sad in hearing the words of Jesus because he was very rich. Jesus then states that it is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
Those in attendance then asked Jesus of how then can one be saved? Jesus replied that what is impossible for man is possible with God.
Peter then states that the disciples have left all to follow Jesus. Jesus assures them that all who leave possessions or family for His sake will receive many times more in this present age, and eternal life in the age to come. This is reflective of the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 18:9-14 and leads us to a realization that our faith in salvation must be in Jesus.
This is a promise of receiving eternal life in Christ Jesus.
Many people are excited to learn of receiving eternal life in Jesus but then fall away when they learn that Jesus must be placed first in their lives. The key verse in this passage is Luke 18:27 as Jesus states that what is impossible for man is possible with God. It is impossible for a man to let go of his possessions and especially his riches to follow Jesus; to put Jesus first in his life. Just like a camel cannot go through the eye of a needle, a man cannot follow Jesus in and of himself. But with God all things are possible (Luke 18:27).
Our focus and our faith must be on Jesus, the center point of our salvation; He does not accept or allow to be second to anything or anyone. In placing Him first is to put off the old ways of the sinful nature and put on a new life in Christ Jesus; He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6).
Jesus paid our penalty for sin, which is death, and three days later He was risen from the grave in victory over sin, death, and Satan. Jesus overcame the sin that we struggle with each day. He will help us overcome sin if we will ask His forgiveness for His great act of doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves, which is paying for our sins. Receive His forgiveness as a gift from our Father in heaven and believe in Him and follow what He has taught us in His Word.
Dear Lord,
Please help us to see that we cannot receive forgiveness of our sins and inherit eternal life without accepting what Jesus has done for us; that we could not redeem ourselves from the sin that we live in, but that a pure sacrifice was required. You provided that pure sacrifice for us in Your one and only Son Jesus whom You sent to save the world from sin (John 3:16-17). Please help us to believe, confess, accept, and receive Jesus, our Savior. In Jesus name I pray, amen.