09.26.07
“WHO CAN BE SAVED?”
Matthew 19:25-26
“When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked’ ‘Who then can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’ “
What had Jesus just said that caused the disciples to be so astonished and question who could be saved? It is evident that Jesus had just dropped a spiritual bombshell on His disciples. We are caught up in the middle of an incident as we read this passage.
To bring us up to speed, let me fill you in on the incident. Jesus had just been speaking to a rich young man who had great wealth and who had lived a righteous life. He asked what good thing he needed to do in order to insure eternal life? Jesus told him to go, sell all of his possessions and follow Him. The young man went away in sorrow because he had great wealth.
Now it is clear that Jesus’ words to this young man in no way excluded wealthy people from heaven. Many who had great riches have been God’s precious saints. The crux of the problem is when people rely upon their wealth to bring them eternal happiness. The disciples had a hard time accepting this. Not that wealth was the issue, but here was a young man who had followed all of the laws of Moses carefully, yet when he was weighed in the balances—he was found wanting.
Do you ever feel that way? Does it frequently seem that you need to “DO” something in order to merit God’s grace and mercy? There are many situations in our lives that almost defy understanding. It is not necessary for us to understand the unknowable, but to obey what the Lord teaches us. What seems to be an impossibility to us, may be God’s plan to show forth His power and majesty.
Moses was a perfect case in point. He was born at a time when boy babies were all to be killed at birth—yet he ended up, not only being spared, but was raised in Pharaoh’s own household. Then having been educated in all of the ways of Egypt. According to Hebrews 11:24-25; “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time.”
He turned his back on the “easy” life and chose to place his life in danger to defend his own Hebrew people. After defending one of his own people, he fled and hid for forty years in a far country. But God had not even started using him yet. It was preparation time. In God’s timing he was sent back to Pharaoh’s court to demand the release of all the Hebrew people.
Think about the absurdity of that request. No sane ruler would release approximately 2 million slaves who had been used and abused for centuries. Yet not only did Pharaoh release them, but the Egyptians showered them with gifts and riches before they started their Exodus. I could go on, but I think you get the idea that with God all things are possible.
Are there seemingly impossible situations in your life? Do you despair at ever having an answer to your prayer? I am coming to understand that prayer means to “inquire of the Lord.” It is not our telling God what to do and when to do it–rather it is inquiring of Him what His plans are and how we can fit in to those plans.
The rich young ruler did not see the big picture. He placed his confidence on his possessions and walked away from the Lord in dismay. He wanted immediate answers and was not willing to obey when Jesus called him to follow. Remember how long Moses waited? Inquire of the Lord as you rest in the Him.
Blessings dear hearts. Walk with God today, trust Him completely and be a blessing.
- - - Pastor Cecil