Jesus’ followers didn’t break up their day like I break up Matthew’s account of their experiences with him. They have witnessed a promising disciple walk away from Jesus because they thought the cost was too great.
Jesus used the experience to further the education of his followers, both then and now.
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly I tell you, it will be hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven.
“Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God”
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astounded and said, “Then who can be saved?”
But Jesus looked at them and said, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible” (Matthew 19.23-26).
You have possibly read a commentary on Jesus’ message about the “eye of a needle” being a keyhole in Jerusalem’s wall where a camel had to kneel to crawl through. Modern scholars have shown that this explanation has no merit.
Jesus stated that it is impossible for rich people – and everyone else for that matter – to enter God’s kingdom without God’s power.
Paul explained the miracle of God’s grace and our salvation.
He wrote, “You were dead through the trespasses and sins . . . even when we were dead through our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ — by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2.1 and 5).
What is the greater miracle, a camel passing through the eye of a needle or a dead person coming to life? God’s miraculous grace reaches rich and poor persons and gives life to the spiritually dead.
What About Rewards?
Peter is the spokesman for the band of disciples. He states what is on everyone’s mind.
Then Peter said in reply, “Look, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (Matthew 19.27).
The disciples took Jesus’ teaching seriously.
Jesus said, “For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it” (Mark 8.35).
It is legitimate to ask what to expect when we have surrendered our lives for the cause of the Messiah.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man is seated on the throne of his glory, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my name’s sake will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19.28-29).
What strikes me is the phrase, “eternal life.” Eternal life is both quantity and quality. The quality of life includes God’s “hundredfold” blessing.
I have no idea what is in store for those who have followed Jesus with faithful service. What I do know is that God is the most loving and gracious Heavenly Father.
Whatever he gives his children will be measured by his abundant love.
Jesus ends, “But many who are first will be last, and the last will be first” (Matthew 19.30).
These words will be repeated in Matthew 20.16 following the Parable of Laborers in the Vineyard. The parable is concerned with rewards and colors Jesus’ reply to Peter.
I have frequently applied Jesus’ words to myself. I was born on third base and didn’t hit a tipple to get there. Some of my friends were born with three strikes against them.
I may be a first-place finisher on earth, but that doesn’t take into consideration God’s perspective.
The best response I can make is to live in humility with the Lord and obediently follow his guidance.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross and I discussed this passage on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
Real Voices 