Saturday's Scripture Story
The Rich Young Man
We turn to the story of the rich, young man who comes to Jesus. Though used just a couple of months ago in worship, we revisit the story to highlight a conversation that follows between Jesus and His disciples. They were taken aback by this teaching of Jesus over the struggle for a (religious) rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. We see on display here the need for Jesus to revise the perception of how blessings come from God.
While salvation for that rich young man was impossible without God, it was still possible – in God. Nothing can get you a place with God except Jesus. Not your money, not your spiritual wisdom, not your spiritual pedigree. Just faith in the one name of Jesus.
Matthew 19:16-30
The Rich and the Kingdom of God
16 Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”
17 “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, keep the commandments.”
18 “Which ones?” he inquired.
Jesus replied, “‘You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, 19 honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself.’”
20 “All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
22 When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.
23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it is hard for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 Again I tell you, 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.”
25 When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Peter answered him, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?”
28 Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first.
Prayer
Lord God, nothing is impossible with You. That means it's not impossible for me to experience Your love, or – if necessary – to return to You, regardless of previous choices. Nothing can keep me from You. It is good to know that all people are welcome in Your presence in the name of Jesus.