Just think of the number of things you might classify in your own mind as being ‘impossible.’
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible.
Mark 10:27 But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
The prophet Jeremiah had likewise declared, Jer 32:17 'Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You.
Jesus was in discussion with His disciples about the eternal condition of a very wealthy and powerful young man. And He spoke of the difficulty the wealthy may have focusing on eternal life – much less receiving it. This was quite a shock to the disciples, as the common assumption had been that the wealthy were especially blessed of God, and that the blessing would easily extend into a heavenly domain.
But Jesus was explaining the principle of distraction and not the evils of wealth. Wealth is simply an example of a very powerful distraction. The wealthy may very well be blessed of God, but they are more often than not focused on the fruits of this life and not the next.
Jesus said as much, Mark 10:23 Then Jesus looked around and said to His disciples, "How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!"
We all understand the lure and the power money and financial concerns hold over us in this life. But we fail to see the hand of God when we are concerned, worried, or prideful over what we hold in our own hand. Lack of wealth can be as much a distraction as wealth. This is why Prov 30:8 states, Give me neither poverty nor riches-- Feed me with the food allotted to me; 9 Lest I be full and deny You, And say, "Who is the Lord?" Or lest I be poor and steal, And profane the name of my God.
Rich or poor, dealing with the distractions which draw you away from God is the issue. And Jesus is saying, “It is impossible for a man who is distracted to enter the kingdom of God.”
How mind-boggling then that Jesus would declare that with God ALL things are possible. Essentially then, the qualifier is to eliminate whatever distraction(s) may be present in your life which may make it impossible for you to be with God – because with God, ALL things are possible. Even salvation! The blood of Jesus washes away the sin of every man not too distracted to receive it.
- Pastor Bill
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