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Jesus (Did He Mean It? ‘Can the Rich be Saved’)

This is a very important and profound teaching by Jesus about salvation and entering into the Kingdom of God. It is very important for you to read these Words of Jesus before I comment. Remember it’s the Words of Jesus that are important and true not mine.

Matthew 19:16-26
Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said,” ‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’
‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and,
‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.'”
The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth.

What do I still lack?”

Jesus said to him,
“If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

Then Jesus said to His disciples,
“Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of heaven.
“And again I say to you, 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.”
When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said to them,
“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Mark 10:17-27
Now as He was going out on the road, one came running, knelt before Him, and asked Him, “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good?
No one is good but One, that is, God.
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’
‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'”
And he answered and said to Him,
“Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth.”
Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him,
“One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”
But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful,
for he had great possessions.
Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples,
“How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!”
And the disciples were astonished at His words.
But Jesus answered again and said to them,
“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the kingdom of God!
“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 they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said,
“With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.”

Luke 18:18-27
Now a certain ruler asked Him, saying,
“Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?”
So Jesus said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God.
“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not steal,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'”
And he said, “All these I have kept from my youth.”
So when Jesus heard these things, He said to him,
“You still lack one thing. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor,
and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when he heard this, he became very sorrowful, for he was very rich.
And when Jesus saw that he became very sorrowful, He said, “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God! “For 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 those who heard it said, “Who then can be saved?”
But He said,
“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.”

I am just going to point out a few things and let Jesus speak for Himself.

First, when the word is used here ‘rich man’ it means person, not male. The same is true for ‘with men’ it means person in Greek. So it doesn’t matter whether the person is male or female.

Second, when Jesus uses the term “For it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle’ we need to understand that this is a correct translation. What Jesus is showing is exactly what He meant to say and that is: it is impossible for a rich person to be saved except with God all things are possible! Glory.

Now remember it takes the same miracle of God to save any sinner! Jesus is showing the impossibility of salvation outside of the grace and mercy of God and this is revealed in Jesus Christ through His death on the cross and shedding of His Blood for our sins.

Third, the way of salvation is revealed earlier just before this man arrives and tries to find salvation through his works.

Hear the words of Jesus carefully. Oh, I love to just let Jesus interpret Himself.

Matthew 19:13-15
Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them.
But Jesus said,
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of heaven.”
And He laid His hands on them and departed from there.

Mark 10:13-16
Then they brought young children to Him, that He might touch them; but the disciples rebuked those who brought them.
But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them,
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of God.
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”
And He took them up in His arms, put His hands on them, and blessed them.

Luke 18:15-17
Then they also brought infants to Him that He might touch them; but when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them.

But Jesus called them to Him and said,
“Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them;
for of such is the kingdom of God.
“Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it.”

How thrilling. Jesus here shows how simple yet profound salvation is.

A child can be saved while a ‘good’ rich man misses eternal life.

I have given much scripture and a few comments but I feel the subject has been dealt with by the Words of Jesus.

Are you saved? Do you have eternal life? Are you in the Kingdom of God?

Upon what do you base your answer?

Remember your eternity is at stake.

Pilgrim followers of Jesus,

Arthur and Denise Blessitt

Luke 18:1