Today,we will continue looking at the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesuslooking for salvation. He came running, knelt before Jesus, asked the rightquestion, and came to the right person—all the right things. Matthew’s gospelcalls him “young” twice, emphasizing he also came at the right time of life.That’s a good time to give your heart to Christ, but it’s never too late. Aslong as you have breath in your lungs, a beating heart, and a thinking mind,it’s time to come to Jesus.
Jesustold him to give everything he had, because he was rich, and give to the poor.The Bible says when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was veryrich. Jesus saw he was sorrowful and said, “How hard it is for those whohave riches to enter the kingdom of God. It’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” Those whoheard it said, “Who then can be saved?” But He said, “The things which areimpossible with men are possible with God.”
Petersaid, “We have left all and followed you.” Jesus replied, “Assuredly I say toyou, there is no one who has left house or parents or brothers or wife orchildren for the sake of the kingdom of God who shall not receive many timesmore in this present time and in the age to come eternal life.”
WhenJesus saw the man was sorrowful, He said it’s easier for a camel to go throughthe eye of a needle. I’ve heard, from my many visits to Jerusalem andBethlehem, that the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem has a small door youcan barely get through. They made these doors small so raiders on animalscouldn’t invade the church where everyone might be taking shelter. A camelcouldn’t get through the door with a person with any burden of wealth on it.The door was like the eye of a needle, very small making it hard for anythingto get through it. I’m not sure all thatit meant, but Jesus was saying that for a rich person, the problem is theybelieve that their wealth gives them their security.
Iread years ago, and never forgot it, that whatever becomes our source ofsecurity becomes our idol, our God that we worship. It might be a person, ajob, or money. And most often it is our money—our job, savings account, orretirement plan. If that becomes our source of security, it becomes our God,our idol. Jesus said it’s hard for a person to give up that source of security.Jesus made it clear elsewhere you can’t serve God and mammon.
Youeither serve the Lord God, finding your security in Him and your relationshipwith Jesus Christ, or you trust in your wealth. Money can go away, people die,everything can change, but Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, andforever (Hebrews 13:8). The real source of security for eternity is Jesus andyour relationship with Him.
Jesusfinishes this passage by taking the twelve aside, saying, “We’re going up toJerusalem. All the things written by the prophets concerning the Son of Manwill be accomplished. He’ll be delivered to the Gentiles, mocked, insulted,spit upon, scourged, and killed, and the third day He will rise again.”Jesus pointed them to the cross. My friend, that’s how you come to Christ—youcome to the cross, to the suffering of the cross.
What’simpossible with men is possible with God. Salvation can take place when youcome to the cross, and your life can be totally changed. No matter how wealthy,poor, sinful, wicked, evil, or good you are. You can come to the cross and besaved.
Today,come to the cross of Jesus.
