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Matthew 19:23-26
Jesus has just finished speaking with a rich young man about how he might obtain eternal life, but the rich young man turned away from Jesus and the kingdom of heaven because he could not let go of his riches and put God first in his life. In Matthew 19:23-26 Jesus teaches His disciples that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. His disciples were greatly confused at this saying and they asked Jesus in Matthew 19:25 (NKJV), “Who then can be saved?” But the reply of Jesus is the key to salvation as He states in Matthew 19:26, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
This is the key to salvation and eternal life.
With man this is impossible. With God all things are possible. Jesus is teaching His disciples that they cannot obtain salvation and eternal life on their own; it is only by the grace of God that this can happen. The Law was given to man in the Old Testament (Exodus 19-20), and it was given to show man that he cannot keep all the requirements/commandments that are necessary in gaining God’s favor as being sinful cannot cure itself; a better way is needed. A rich man cannot trust in his riches to gain salvation and eternal life. Eternal life is a gift from God and only comes through putting your faith in Him and believing that He sent His One and only Son Jesus to pay the redemption price – the price that paid for everyone’s sins so that by believing in Him we all may have eternal life – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Please help us to see that this teaching by Jesus is not about whether or not a camel can fit through a small gate that is in Jerusalem, but that it is about putting You first in our lives and putting the desires of this world behind us. Please help us to see that we cannot obtain eternal life and salvation on our own but that it is the greatest gift of all – in Christ! In Jesus name I pray, amen.