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!” 24 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! 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 And they were greatly astonished, saying among themselves, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Devotional
The rich young man having walked away after Jesus’ call to him to sell his possessions and give the proceeds to the poor, and to take up his cross and follow Him. Jesus now looks to His disciples and says: “How hard it is for those who have riches to enter the kingdom of God!” Then Jesus follows that up with an explanation: …“Children, how hard it is for those who trust in riches 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.” Vs. 24-25
Jesus' declaration of the impossibility of the rich entering the Kingdom of God, linking that with one trusting their riches is an important lesson for us all. For Jesus frequently cited the peril of not only trusting riches, but also the folly of being rich towards oneself and not being rich towards God (Luke 12:14-21). And more perilously of trying to serve God and mammon (Matt. 6:21-24). Now when Jesus warned the people of trying to serve God and money. The Pharisees who themselves were lovers of money derided Him, but Jesus responded to them by saying: “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God.” Luke 16:15
Therefore those who distort the gospel and make it into a means to get rich are utterly out of step with the gospel of God (2 Cor. 2:17; 1 Tim. 6:5-10). Though that is not the Lord’s emphasis here, rather the impossibility of those who are rich (i.e. who trust in their riches) entering the Kingdom of God. Which caused His disciples to be greatly astonished and they began to say among themselves …“Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus looked at them and said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” Vs. 26-27
Therefore what man cannot do for himself, to save himself, God can do for him, “…for with God all things are possible” vs. 27 I believe that is the point, that it is God's grace alone given to us through faith in Jesus Christ which saves us (Eph. 2:8-9). Yet for those who are rich, who make wealth their trust they will find entering the Kingdom of heaven impossible, since God will be subservient to nothing or no one (Consider Mark 8:34-9:1). Unfortunately that trust in wealth was clearly demonstrated in the rich young man’s attitude when he both justified himself to Jesus (Consider Rev. 3:17-22), but also thought to purchase the Kingdom of heaven by doing a “good thing.” All which Jesus exposed by telling to him to go sell all that he had and give it to the poor, and then come pick up the cross and follow Him. In other words first go and free yourself from what is holding your heart, so your heart might take hold of Mine. To which he became sorrowful and walked away for he had great riches. Now Jesus pronounced woes on those who are rich, saying they have their reward (Luke 6:24). Therefore we should all wisely heed what the Apostle Paul exhorted when by the Holy Spirit he wrote; 17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. 1 Tim. 6:17-19
Therefore we who believe should all seek to develop and grow a generous and giving heart in this life so that God might entrust us with eternal riches. For when the unrighteous mammon fails, as it always does; failing to deliver one’s soul (Ps. 49:6-9) as well as preserve one’s life (Job 36:17-19). People might receive us into everlasting habitations, as Jesus said in Luke 16:9-13.
Now returning to the passage, when Jesus had spoken these things to the disciples 28 Then Peter began to say to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You.” 29 So Jesus answered and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s, 30 “who shall not receive a hundredfold now in this time—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions—and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Vs. 28-31
Here then the Lord Jesus promises proportional rewards for those who have sacrificially followed Him. For salvation is the same for everyone, coming solely as a gift of God's love to all who believe in Jesus. Nobody earns it, and nobody by their conduct deserves it, it is the solely gift and prerogative of God (Rom. 9:11).
Therefore in contrast to the rich young man who was first in this life and who walked away from Jesus for his mammon (or riches) treasuring them, and likely his status in the community more than eternal life. The Apostle Peter now, rather unabashedly asserts how both he and the disciples have left all to follow Jesus. And with that Jesus responds by saying, not that they have purchased eternal life for themselves by doing so. For that would be an affront to His Person, Purposes and cross which alone purchases eternal life for us. Rather by doing so they have now gotten eternal riches, beginning in this life. For Jesus says they, and all who do so, will be repaid a hundred fold. Likely meaning with new Christian relations and thus homes and lands where they (and all who believe) will be welcome; along with persecutions where they (and all who believe) will not be welcome; Nonetheless all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ will have “…in the age to come eternal life”.
Now Jesus in saying that those who leave behind a “…house or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake and the gospel’s…” is not saying that Jesus wants people to forsake their earthly responsibilities, i.e. A father who leaves behind his wife and children for Jesus Christ’s sake and the gospel’s does not mean that he leaves them to fend for themselves, or that he abandons them altogether. Forsaking all for Jesus Christ never entails such things as that. Jesus’ point is simply to assert that whatever sacrifices anyone makes in this life for His sake and the gospel’s, because they believe in Him, will be bountifully repaid. That is the point Jesus is making in verses twenty nine-thirty. Now Jesus concluded by saying “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” vs. 31
Notice too Jesus doesn’t say all who are first “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” Clearly indicating that those who prioritize their lives affairs for this life are setting themselves up for a lower position in eternity.
Scripture Quotations
The Holy Bible, New King James Version, (Nashville, Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.) 1982.
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