Read Matt 19:16–30
Mat 19:24-29 Again I tell you, 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) When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” (26) But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (27) Then Peter said in reply, “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will we have?” (28) Jesus said to them, “Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. (29) And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.

Wealth and Salvation, is it possible to have both? In Jesus’ day, if you had wealth, it meant you were blessed by God you had a sure and certain ticket to heaven and if you were poor, you were cursed by God and you chances of getting in weren’t good. This is what makes Jesus statements about the rich such a shocker to the disciples, “Who then can be saved?” they ask.

Now there is no “eye of the needle” gate in Jerusalem or anywhere else. I don’t know who started this fable, probably someone who has never tried to thread a needle. While Jesus is using hyperbole here, the point is not exaggerated by him. It is impossible for man to save himself. It is impossible. Thanks be to God, with God all things are possible.

In Genesis, when 90 year old barren Sarah laughs at the prospect of having children, the Lord ask, “Is anything too wonderful for the Lord?” The angel speaking to Mary, the Virgin, about her upcoming pregnancy and Elizabeth being pregnant, answering her question “How can this be?” is told that nothing is impossible with God. Three barren women who had impossible births give witness to our impossible birth into the kingdom of God. God, through the life, death and resurrection makes it possible to be saved for you and for the whole world. There is no one you cannot point to and say it is impossible for God to save them, because Jesus has won salvation for everyone.

Then Jesus gives us assurance that whatever we may lose to keep this salvation is worth losing. For he promises us that when his salvation is the first thing in our lives, if or when we lose material goods or people in this life for the sake of the gospel, he will replace in this life and the next. For we are not saved alone; but we are made one with the body of Christ. Should we lose anything for Christ sake, we can look to our Christian brothers and sisters to help us in our needs.

Heavenly Father, you do the impossible in Jesus Christ by winning salvation for us through his merits. Grant us faith in the impossible and courage to be willing to lose all things and to even suffer and die for the faith and salvation wrought and won for us by Jesus. In his name we pray. Amen.