Father, sitting here I am thinking – the school year is complete, my bus has been cleaned and turned in and now, something I haven’t said in 33 years begins…summer break! I truly want to use it wisely. I want to have quality time with Karen, be it at work or play. And I also want to be used by You! Enable me to be a responsible steward with the generous gift I have been given. Amen.
Mark 10:23-27 (<<click to read the passage)
It’s hard! …but it’s not impossible. In today’s passage, the focus is on “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” v.23
The note from the Amplified Bible helps us understand why the disciples were “amazed” and “astounded” at what Jesus said.
What Jesus said ran contrary to the conventional wisdom among the Jews (and other ancient peoples). It was commonly thought that wealthy people who did their duty financially to the poor and their community were assured entry into the kingdom of God.
Once again, the reality of living in the Kingdom of God puts socially accepted mindsets on its ear! But it is important to understand that we are not just talking about wealth here. The disciples asked, “Then who in the world can be saved?” v.26
In essence, if the rich aren’t guaranteed a spot in God’s Kingdom then is there hope for anyone? And here is the point we need to latch onto. “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” v.27
As I have journeyed with Jesus over the last few years, in particular, I have come to realize more and more that humanly speaking it is truly impossible to live this life He has called us to. We are no more capable of a positive outcome than the Jews were who strove to fulfill the many requirements of the Law. It’s impossible.
“But…not with God.” And here, we all need to shout a resounding, “Praise God!” For “everything is possible with God”!
No matter how hard I try, I – in and of myself – will fail. I am not strong enough. I am not wise enough. My love is too limited – it is too shallow and too easily drained! But…not with God! He is all-powerful (omnipotent) and all-knowing (omniscient) and He is not just loving He IS Love! And when we give ourselves over to Him, He graciously and generously gives us of Himself.
Lord Jesus, You want me to depend upon You. You want me to lean on You. You want me to stop striving to do it all by myself. You are my yoke-brother – You have all the experience and the know-how and I just need to slip beside You and learn from the Master! Amen and amen!
June 5th, 2019, Tues, 6:03 pm
