Hello everyone! I encourage you to spend a moment in prayer before you read the text assigned for today. Reflect on what the Lord is saying and share your thoughts as you are led. Mark 10:17-27
17 As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. “Good teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus answered. “No one is good—except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.’ 20 “Teacher,” he declared, “all these I have kept since I was a boy.” 21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it isto enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
As I read this passage today, I found myself identifying more with the disciples than with the rich young man. Like the disciples I might have thought, “That guy is asking a great question, I can’t wait to hear what Jesus has to say.” Like the disciples, I’m sure that I would have been surprised by the response Jesus made. Like the disciples, I’m certain that my response, would have been the same. “Who then can be saved?” I love the answer Jesus gives. “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.”
In this passage, Jesus is pointing out to us today in very clear terms that if we are hoping to enter the Kingdom of God by our own efforts, we’re toast.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8,9)
God has made what was impossible for us possible though the death and resurrection of His son. Every aspect of the law that we have failed to keep, God has kept in Jesus. And when by the power of the Spirit we believe that Jesus died for us, all that Jesus has accomplished has been credited to us. The impossible has been made possible with God.
I am thankful today because God has made me a part of His forever Kingdom, not because I worked hard enough to earn it, but because by His grace He sent Jesus as my Savior to make it possible. Are you excited to be part of God’s forever Kingdom? How has it changed the way you are living your life?
John Frahm