23 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 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. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
(ESV)
STOP! Think a little 🤔 What is God saying to you?
- What is the writer saying?
- How do I apply this to my life?
As the rich man walks away sad, Jesus turns to his disciples and tells them that it is extremely difficult for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. He repeats Himself for emphasis explaining that 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. There was no small gate in the walls of Jerusalem at the time that a camel could go through if it went down on its knees as has been spread in modern times—that would be something hard, but possible. Jesus was talking about the largest well-known animal in Israel passing through the smallest opening—an impossible task. The disciples get it and ask, “Who then can be saved?” Throughout the ages, it is the rich who we have all looked to as the ones who have it all together and clearly have found the secrets to life. But Jesus reminds us that salvation is impossible by man’s efforts, no matter how great his achievement. Salvation is only possible through God.
Peter points out that they have done what the rich man would not. They have given up everything to follow Jesus. Jesus promised the rich man that if he gave up his wealth, he would receive treasures in heaven. Peter wants to know what they would receive. This is a great question. If salvation is by faith alone, what does one get for self-denial? Jesus promises rewards in the regeneration (“the new world”), this is the kingdom Jesus will establish at His second coming. When Jesus establishes the Millennial Kingdom, Israel will be regathered from the around the world (Mat 24:31). Each apostle will rule over the portions allotted to the twelve tribes. Jesus promises that all who have left behind the dearest things in life will receive a hundredfold in benefits as a reward in the kingdom. There is a distinction between entering the kingdom (eternal life) and inheriting the kingdom (eternal life). To enter the kingdom requires only belief. To inherit the kingdom requires self-denial, taking up one’s cross, and following Jesus as His disciple. Jesus concludes that many who are first (in this life) will be last (in the coming kingdom). Things are not always as they seem. Those who are successful or powerful in the church may be paupers in the kingdom. Many who are paupers in the church will be powerful in the kingdom. How you live now will have a direct bearing on your position of service for Christ in the life to come. Are you living today in light of eternity?