Matthew 19:16-28
Today's Passage: Matthew 19:16-28
Jesus welcomes the little children in verse 14. Children have no real possessions of their own and no accolades to bring, but Jesus declares that to such as them belongs the kingdom of heaven.
Fast forward to verse 16 and a man approaches Jesus. Initially we do not know much about him other than he is inquiring what good deed he must do to have eternal life. Jesus questions the man's understanding of goodness.
The standard for goodness that Jesus presents is perfectly obeying the commandments, and the man seems confident that he has done so. When I read this I imagine the man is mentally checking off the boxes as Jesus lists out the commandements, and he responds confidently but eager to know what he lacks.
The man is standing before Jesus saying “I am perfect, I should go to heaven, what else could I do?” Jesus then looks at him and boldly calls him into discipleship, to sell all his things and to follow Jesus.
This is when we learn more about this man and we see that he walks away sorrowful, unwilling to give it away to follow Jesus.
This interaction leaves me astonished and with so many questions, and thankfully, the disciples voiced some of my questions in the verses that follow.
The disciples saw this man who from the outside had followed the law to a tee and they basically ask, “Well, if he can’t be saved, if he can’t be perfect, and if only the good and perfect have eternal life, how could I have eternal life, who then can be saved?”
With man this is impossible. It is impossible for us to follow the law to the fullest extent. As we saw in the Sermon on the Mount, even if we outwardly followed the law, inwardly we would be disobedient and like the young man we would be left still feeling lacking.
There is only one who is good, and none of us can claim to be that person. Only Jesus can claim the title of the perfect man who knew no sin, and yet he chose to become sin on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).
That is what it means that through God all things are possible. That God made a way for us to be in a relationship with Him through His death and resurrection, and He boldly calls us to discipleship.
Written By: Paulette Black
Jesus welcomes the little children in verse 14. Children have no real possessions of their own and no accolades to bring, but Jesus declares that to such as them belongs the kingdom of heaven.
Fast forward to verse 16 and a man approaches Jesus. Initially we do not know much about him other than he is inquiring what good deed he must do to have eternal life. Jesus questions the man's understanding of goodness.
The standard for goodness that Jesus presents is perfectly obeying the commandments, and the man seems confident that he has done so. When I read this I imagine the man is mentally checking off the boxes as Jesus lists out the commandements, and he responds confidently but eager to know what he lacks.
The man is standing before Jesus saying “I am perfect, I should go to heaven, what else could I do?” Jesus then looks at him and boldly calls him into discipleship, to sell all his things and to follow Jesus.
This is when we learn more about this man and we see that he walks away sorrowful, unwilling to give it away to follow Jesus.
This interaction leaves me astonished and with so many questions, and thankfully, the disciples voiced some of my questions in the verses that follow.
The disciples saw this man who from the outside had followed the law to a tee and they basically ask, “Well, if he can’t be saved, if he can’t be perfect, and if only the good and perfect have eternal life, how could I have eternal life, who then can be saved?”
With man this is impossible. It is impossible for us to follow the law to the fullest extent. As we saw in the Sermon on the Mount, even if we outwardly followed the law, inwardly we would be disobedient and like the young man we would be left still feeling lacking.
There is only one who is good, and none of us can claim to be that person. Only Jesus can claim the title of the perfect man who knew no sin, and yet he chose to become sin on our behalf so that we could become the righteousness of God (2 Cor. 5:21).
That is what it means that through God all things are possible. That God made a way for us to be in a relationship with Him through His death and resurrection, and He boldly calls us to discipleship.
Written By: Paulette Black
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