Matthew 19:26

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

A rich young man came to Jesus asking what good thing he should do to have eternal life. In their exchange, the young man clearly reveals he is attempting a works-based salvation. Jesus cuts to the chase and points out a work that the young man is not willing to do: sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor. The young man walks away in sorrow, because the request revealed his heart placed possessions at a higher priority than God.  Jesus then famously says, “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God,”  and the disciples ask in amazement, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus responded with today’s verse.

Thanks be to God that our salvation is His work. He is able, and more importantly, willing, to save us from our sin. He even gives us the measure of faith needed to respond to His grace (Ephesians 2:8). He loves us so much that He sent Christ to die for us when we were completely lost in our sin (Romans 5:8). Be encouraged today, saints. For if God bridged the impossible with our salvation, just imagine what amazing things he can do today in our lives.

Pastor Jeff Mericle