June 27 It is Possible

Luke 18:26-27 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
 
HAVE you ever listened to someone describing a process when suddenly you hear an extraordinary, unbelievable statement? Likely, you respond with, “Really? That’s impossible!” That would have been the response a few years ago if I told someone, “I can put words onto a machine; then with a touch of a button, I can send those words around the globe.” Researchers are working now toward such impossibles as driverless cars. Thinking, problem-solving computers are in our very near future, too. To those living in 1900, who would have perceived the impossible-sounding technology miracles of the 20th and 21st centuries?
    Where do all these “impossibles” originate? They ultimately come from the Crater. From a formless void, God formed a glorious universe. Then he made mankind in his image. That means all our attributes come from God. He gave to us the brains to visualize new realities and minds to make the unbelievable become real. We humans are very, very good at solving technology “impossibles”.
    But no one can invent a machine to solve our impossible soul problem. Daily, I consider my sins and wonder, “How is it possible God allows me into his kingdom?” In a like manner, the disciples and other bystanders who listened to Jesus’ conversation with the wealthy ruler had the same question. Our Lord urged a wealthy man to give up his riches to follow him. You can hear the man say, “Really? That’s impossible.”
    Then Jesus compared salvation to a full-grown camel going through a needle’s eye. Jesus had raised the “impossible bar”! In response, his “congregation” snapped to attention. Suddenly the conversation was about them!
    Immediately, and I believe fearfully, they asked, “Who then can be saved?”  Jesus was a great preacher. He made his main point. The disciples needed an answer. As good disciples do, they went to the Preacher to get the answer. Even more they needed comfort and hope for their lives.
    Jesus then assured his followers, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.” Once again, he’s calling his disciples to, “Follow me.” (Luke 9:23) “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29) “Be still and know that I am God.” (Psalms 46:10)
    Do you remember, too, how Jesus’ mother needed to know how the impossible could be real? Luke 1:34 “How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”  And the angel’s assurance: Then the angel Gabriel said, “For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37) We are the same as the disciples and Mary. When we hear “impossible” words from God, we need to believe all things have come from him, especially our lives now and forever.
    Created in God’s image, mankind can make machines to do “Impossible” tasks. But we cannot make ourselves right with God. Thankfully, “because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions – it is by grace you have been saved. (Ephesians 2:4-5)  
    What “impossibles” are in your life this day? Are you seeking artificial intelligence to resolve your dilemmas? Or are you seeking God’s eternal truth?
 
Prayer: Give me faith, Spirit, to believe that all things, even my salvation, is possible with God. Amen.