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Luke 18:24–27
“[Jesus] said, ‘What is impossible with man is possible with God’” (v. 27).
The rich young ruler certainly had confidence in his own goodness. As we saw in our last study, when Jesus presented obedience to the law of God as the path to eternal life, the wealthy man responded that he had kept the commandments (Luke 18:18–21). His confidence proved to be misplaced, however. When Jesus told him that he lacked one thing—obedience to the first commandment—he did not give up his idolatry but held on to his possessions that Jesus told him to sell. He then walked away with sadness (vv. 22–23).
As we consider Jesus’ call to the rich young ruler, we must avoid thinking that the call to sell all that we have and give away the proceeds is a universal demand for all Christians. Just a few verses later, Jesus declares the salvation of Zacchaeus, who gave away much of his goods to care for the poor but did not sell all that he had (19:1–10). All believers are called to be generous (Prov. 14:21, 31), but not every Christian is called to give away all his worldly goods. Jesus commanded the rich young ruler to sell all that he had because his riches had become an occasion of idolatry. He loved wealth more than he loved God, and he had to reject that idol. All Christians are called to forsake their idols, but not every wealthy Christian has made wealth an idol.
Nevertheless, Jesus had no illusions about the potential spiritual dangers related to money. In Luke 18:24–25, He said that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God, using the hyperbolic example of a camel going through the eye of a needle. It is easier, He said, for a camel to pass through that tiny space than for a rich man to be saved (v. 25). The point is that those with wealth are often tempted to trust in that wealth rather than the Lord, so we must be careful not to let that happen in our lives.
Many ancient Jews thought that wealth invariably signified God’s blessing and favor, so Peter asked who could be saved (v. 26). Apparently, he reasoned that if those who had the greatest chance of salvation could be lost, there was no hope for anyone. Jesus responded by saying that though things might be impossible for man, they are possible with God (v. 27). It is exceedingly difficult for anyone to be saved given the depths of our depravity, but when God wants to save a person—rich or poor—He will not fail (John 6:44).
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
Matthew Henry comments, “There are such difficulties in the way of our salvation: as could never be got over but by pure omnipotence, by that grace of God which is almighty, and to which that is possible which exceeds all created power and wisdom.” Salvation is not easy for man; indeed, it is impossible through our own efforts. But God can save even those who seem least likely to be redeemed if He so wills it.
for further study
- Jeremiah 32:17
- Hebrews 7:25
the bible in a year
- Proverbs 13–14
- 1 Corinthians 16
- Proverbs 15–18
- 2 Corinthians 1–2