LUKE 18:24-30 ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE WHEN I TRUST IN JESUS

ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

WHEN I TRUST IN JESUS

Luke 18:24-30

(See also Matt. 19:16–30; Mark 10:17–31)

Luke 18:24-25 And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

Susie: The rich, young ruler became sad because he could not bring himself to give up his wealth in order to follow Jesus.

Susan: His disposition became melancholy at Jesus’s command that he sell all he owned and give the money to the poor and then follow the Lord.

Susie: Some commentators try to soften Jesus’s use of hyperbole (exaggeration to make a point) by saying the “eye of the needle” was a small gate designed just for people and not beasts of burden. However, most seem to agree that He meant an actual needle used for sewing. The picture Jesus is drawing is that of an absurd impossibility.

Susan: Jesus was saying it is almost impossible for a wealthy person to come to him because many rich people attach themselves to their status and their accumulation of things. They have a greater relationship with their stuff than they would dare to have with Jesus.

Susie: Jesus does not always demand that we literally sell everything we own to give to the poor. However, He does demand that we give Him first place in every aspect of our lives and have a willingness to let go of things in order to cling to Him.

Luke 18:26 And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

Susie: The crowd is thinking if money is a hindrance to salvation, it may be impossible for anyone to come to Him. They point blank ask Him the question in their minds.

Luke 18:27 And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

Susan: Jesus replies that the things that are humanly impossible through self-effort are possible to God. Trusting Jesus, knowing and clinging to Jesus, makes it possible for anyone to come to salvation. Jesus works in and through imperfect people. It is the power of Jesus that draws people, saves people, and keeps them on His path.

Susie: The key is total trust in Jesus rather than depending on anything we have, we do, or we are. We must cling to Him.

Susan: We cannot depend on our wealth, our gifts, or our talents. We must depend upon the Lord who gave those things to us in order to have direction in this life and eternal life.

Luke 18:28 Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed thee.

Susie: Peter pipes up and points out that the twelve have left everything to follow Jesus. The implication is that he wants to know what blessing they will receive for choosing Jesus over their stuff, their homes, and even their families.

Luke 18:29-30 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, Who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.

Susan: When we come to Jesus in reckless abandonment, He becomes our very own army of protection and provision.

Susie: Our needs are met while we travel this earth, plus He promises us a place in His Kingdom. Just before He was crucified when He was poised to return to the Father, He told the disciples that He was going to prepare a place in His Father’s house for them (John 14). What we give up here is inconsequential compared to all we will receive in eternal life with the Lord.

Ponder this and Apply it: Do you have anything that you are clinging to other than Jesus? Is there anyone or anything that you place above Him? Spend some time pondering these questions and ask the Lord to help you rely totally on Him and surrender all you have and all you are to His will.