Possible and Impossible

A young man came to the Lord with a question: “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18- 30, Matthew 19:16-22). Jesus responded as He did at times with another question: “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is God.” As we see as the account unfolds it seems clear that Jesus was interested in this young man, perhaps saw some potential in him for spiritual growth, and so challenged him in this way.

The Lord followed up quickly with “if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments” (Matthew 19:17). This discussion occurred before the Cross thus the Law of Moses was still in effect. In Luke’s account some of the commandments are listed (Luke 18:20). The young man responded as we would expect a “ruler” to do: “All these things I have kept from my youth.”

But of course Jesus knew this fellow better than he knew himself. The Lord knew he was rich and had quite the attachment to his riches. Some people can be rich and it not bother them a bit; this man let his money worry him. Jesus told him to liquidate and distribute and once he did that become His disciple. Matthew tells us that he went away sorrowful.

Luke continues the account with the Lord’s famous reaction: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! For 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.” Now, we know that camels cannot get through a needle’s eye. No one would try to make a camel do such a thing. It is therefore obvious that Jesus is using an outlandish expression to emphasize the difficulties and temptations associated with being rich. Perhaps we have read that there is a narrow passage in Jerusalem called “The eye of the needle” that is tough on transiting camels. Perhaps, but the point is the same: it is hard to get to Heaven if you love money. As Paul said, the “love of money” is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:19).

The problem was not just that of the rich young ruler. Most people prefer to be at least a little rich as oppose to being poor. Where do we fit in this? Well, some of the folks there realized the challenge and asked, “Who then can be saved?” I think that if I had been there that day I would have asked the same question. If I think about it, as an American I’m really quite rich in comparison with many people in this old world. And when I really think about it I don’t want to give up the comforts my circumstances provide. So, I’m not ready to ridicule this fellow. You?

As always, the Lord helps us if we keep listening. He said, “The things that are impossible with men are possible with God” (Luke 18:27). And, as he sometimes does, Peter jumps off in the wrong direction. Eager to be on the right side of the discussion he tells Jesus that he had “left all” to follow him. That sounds like just the thing to say if you are the kind of person who has to say something, but good old Peter missed it.

The key here is the Lord’s command to the young fellow to follow Him. Yes, he was to liquidate and distribute. But Jesus reminded the ruler, Peter and all the rest who heard Him that there are tremendous blessings for those who follow the Lord: “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who had left house or parents or brothers of wife or children for the sake of the kingdom of God who shall not receive many times more in this present time, and in the age to come” (Luke 18:29-30). One way or another, God will take care of His people.

That seems hard to believe, doesn’t it? It takes faith to believe it, the kind of faith that knows God rewards the faithful (Hebrews 11:6) and will never leave His people (Hebrews 13:5-6). Many will say that it is just not possible to make it in this world living like Jesus says. But with God it is.

Bill Irby

West Hobbs Street Herald