Who Can Be Saved?

ByJim Stephens

Scripture:  Matthew 19:23-30  (Click link for scripture in Bible Gateway)

23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then. (Matthew 19:23–30 NLT)

This conversation takes place before the Rich Young Man from yesterday’s devotional was out of sight. Jesus said, “It’s really hard for a rich person, like the young man I was just talking with, to enter the Kingdom of Heaven!” The disciples were astounded! If rich, privileged, powerful people can’t enter the Kingdom of Heaven, who can possibly make it in? The privileges of wealth, race, position, education, gender, status have been around for a long while.  Privilege influences our thinking in so many ways!

Jesus once again takes them back to Kingdom of God 101, the basics! He said, “This is the inside out, upside down, childlike over sophisticate, weak over strong, poor over rich value system of God’s Kingdom. When the world is made new, and the Son of Man reigns from his Kingdom of Heaven throne it’s going to be like this:”

  • Those who have been the faithful followers will be the leaders.
  • Those who have been the humble servants will be the rulers.
  • Those who have sacrificed houses will live in mansions.
  • Those who have left family and friends for my sake will be surrounded by love.
  • Those who have sacrificed possessions will be blessed a hundred times over.
  • Those who have been considered of no consequence will be the greatest.

Prayer:

Father, I so want to get this! I want Kingdom of Heaven values to be my values, not just in eternity, but now. Please keep teaching me and changing me. For Jesus’ Sake! Amen.