From Matthew 19:23-30 / Threading The Needle

An awful lot of ink has been spilled on this passage – along with the portion above. Some have used it to prove that wealth itself is sin. Others, focus on trying to dismiss the “camel through the eye of a needle” imagery.” Perhaps so as to make it seem not easy, but still doable. Both in my opinion miss the chief points. Jesus was indeed appealing to something impossible, not merely difficult. Impossible.

Note the first application: This entire scenario from vs 16 all the way through 30, has nothing to do with the quantity of money or goods one may possess. Monetarily wealthy people are no less salvable than anyone else. Nor are the poor more salvable. The issue, as with the man in the story, focuses on the problem of whatever we find too valuable in our eyes to part with that we might have Christ is what we think makes us “rich”. Whatever, or whoever, we cannot do without – if it in any way hinders our following after Him – that is what will keep us out of Heaven. In the words of the commercial “What (or who) is in your wallet?” come to mind?

In the final analysis, we each have our own currency. We each have those things which are most dear to us. People, things, reputation, ease, self-image, accolades, accomplishments, you name it. We are put to the mettle when we are put in the position of – when push comes to shove – what to me is more valuable than following wholeheartedly after Christ?

Note the second application: Who is the rich person here? The one who thinks he has it all already. And therefore, he can give nothing up. The rich man wanted to do, not to not do.

This man thought he had something he could bring to the table to make him acceptable before God. The wealth he at first brought to the table was his obedience to the Law. And herein surfaces a theological problem which must be carefully examined.

Many, even solid evangelical men throughout history, building off of a skewed understanding of Adam’s circumstance in the Garden, postulate that had Adam continued in obedience, he would have warranted eternal life for himself and his posterity. However, the Scripture itself makes no such intimation. Without more data, the best we can surmise is that he would have remained as he was indefinitely. Why? For the same reason the man in our text errs. Because obedience is simply our duty. It earns us nothing. Even if one were to keep the Mosaic Law perfectly in heart and mind from the day of their conception – they would not have earned a thing. New York State has yet to send me reward checks for never driving over the speed limit. It is only what is expected.

Jesus Himself will clarify this principle in a simile He uses in Luke 17:7-10 – “Will any one of you who has a servant plowing or keeping sheep say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come at once and recline at table’? Will he not rather say to him, ‘Prepare supper for me, and dress properly, and serve me while I eat and drink, and afterward you will eat and drink’? Does he thank the servant because he did what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’ ”

Given the two considerations above, we are left with the same questions as the Disciples: “Who then can be saved?” And Jesus answers it point blank: “With man this is impossible.”

If one cannot BE as good as God, and one cannot contribute anything above what is only our duty – how is it possible for anyone to inherit eternal life?

And Jesus’ answer? “with God all things are possible.”

Through the Cross. Through faith granted to the soul – faith in the saving, substitutionary atoning sacrifice on Calvary – God does the impossible, and saves us. Grants us an inheritance: “to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” (1 Peter 1:4-9)

Hallelujah!