Freedom From Things

Matthew 19:16–30 CSB

Just then someone came up and asked him, “Teacher, what good must I do to have eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” he said to him. “There is only one who is good. If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” “Which ones?” he asked him. Jesus answered: Do not murder; do not commit adultery; do not steal; do not bear false witness; honor your father and your mother; and love your neighbor as yourself. “I have kept all these,” the young man told him. “What do I still lack?” “If you want to be perfect,” Jesus said to him, “go, sell your belongings and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” When the young man heard that, he went away grieving, because he had many possessions. 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 a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were utterly astonished and asked, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Then Peter responded to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you. So what will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, 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 children or fields because of my name will receive a hundred times more and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.

Matthew 19:16-30

Pray

This story is found in Mark and Luke

In each Gospel is just a bit different which is to be expected with different people. It would actually be stranger if they were all exactly the same. Due to different points of view. Different audiences. Different experiences. And other such things

In this story, this event, a rich young ruler comes to Jesus and ask him how to have eternal life. This man comes to the right person with the right question. But he doesn't get the answer he wanted. And it seems hard for us to think about people turning away, we have made it so easy just Pray

But Jesus speaks of life change and hard things

Two views of Rich in Judaism (see this today as well)

One type holds to the idea that wealth is a a sign of piety and divine favor

The other seeing it as a sign of wickedness

Jesus doesn't see wealth as wicked itself. But he does see it as a major threat to the one who had it.

Jesus based discipleship on utter dependence upon God.

Possession of money tends to give one a false sense of security and less disposition to trust God.

Jesus seeks to free man from the tyranny of things. And put God at the sovereign spot, whom through is the only freedom.

Poor too can be enslaved to the tyranny of things, too. It is usually the desire for the things or enslaved to the meager possessions

This man who comes is a negotiator. He wants eternal life but only wants to pay what he thinks its worth. Live a good life. Be good to others. Follow the laws. That is fine. But giving up that which he holds closest

No

He is possessed by his possessions

Why can't I go to heaven. I was a good person. I hear that a lot. It's all about being good and sad to say this is what some people, churches teach. Its all about being good.

We stress being good with our children. Do we stress following God?

Jesus says it is easier for a Camel to fit through the eye of a needle. (BiblicalHebrew.com) It has been taught for two centuries that this refers to a gate in Jerusalem called the eye of the needle through which a camel could not pass unless it stooped and first had all its baggage first removed. After dark, when the main gates were shut, travelers or merchants would have to use this smaller gate, through which the camel could only enter unencumbered and crawling on its knees!

Great sermon material, with the parallels of coming to God on our knees without all our baggage. A lovely story and an excellent parable for preaching but unfortunately unfounded! From at least the 15th century, and possibly as early as the 9th but not earlier, this story has been put forth, however, there is no evidence for such a gate, nor record of reprimand of the architect who may have forgotten to make a gate big enough for the camel and rider to pass through unhindered. And you can try to explain it as well by saying that instead of camel it means rope because in Aramaic the words are the same or based on the same because rope is made from camels hair. And you can try to explain it in some rational way

But in truth it doesn't really matter Jesus is trying to stand make an outlandish claim. You are suppose to laugh

Is it impossible for a rich man to get to heaven You bet

On his own, Jesus is telling us that it is only through God

The grace, the mercy, and the blood of God. That you can get to heaven. You can't be Good enough. You can't be rich enough. You can't be religious enough.

You can't do it….It is only through God you are free

Next Steps

Are You free?

Holding on to the wrong things.

Even Christians can fall into this trap. Materialism is a world, a philosophy a way of life that describes a great deal of our society

Do you fall into it

Free in the grace of God