Who Can Be Saved?

Mark 10:24-27 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” 
 
JESUS had just told a rich young man, “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” This is an extraordinary call to faith. The disciples were shocked. What disturbed them so much?  
   To the Jewish mindset, wealth was a sign of God’s blessings. Job was a righteous man, and he was very wealthy (Job 1). Abraham amassed great wealth (Genesis 13:2). God also assures his people in Isaiah 3:10 Tell the righteous it will be well with them, for they will enjoy the fruit of their deeds. And we find in the law God’s promise of plenty for his people who obey him. Deuteronomy 11:14 then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and oil. 15 I will provide grass in the fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. But the disciples watched Jesus require the rich man lose his wealth.
   Then Jesus illustrates even greater obstacles to the wealthy’s relationship with 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.” Once again, Jesus seemed to turn the law upside down.
   Many have said that Jesus is referring to a camel going through a small gate in the city wall called the “eye of the needle”. Truth is, Jesus is referring to the eye of a real needle. Yes, the amazed disciples were disturbed. “Who then can be saved?” For three years they had assumed they were following the Messiah into God’s new kingdom on earth. Were there suddenly new barriers too large for them to overcome? But then came Jesus’ assurance: “All things are possible with God.”
   Jesus wanted his disciples to know the same truth he taught the rich young ruler. To be in the kingdom requires they know God. They must know he alone is their lasting wealth. When they know God, they will know that only in God’s goodness, their kingdom future does not depend on their material wealth or poverty, earthy skills or wisdom. Kingdom life depends on their faith to know Jesus is God.
   This is an impossible thing for the world. The sin nature tells people to deny the righteous Savior. We are deceived to believe it is easier to live in self-desires than it is to live in God’s desires.
   Jesus is teaching that the only reason we come to know God is that he takes our “impossible” sin nature and transforms it into a sanctified holiness. It is, indeed, impossible to achieve heaven on your own.
   Are you Jesus’ disciple? Then daily thank God he has done an impossible “God-thing” to choose you to faithfully confess Jesus as Lord. Recognize that your salvation is the result of the impossible becoming possible. Be amazed at God’s goodness! Then trust his goodness to safely dwell in your eternal soul.