All Things Are Possible
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
—Matthew 19:26 ESV
This verse is found at the end of the story about the Rich Young Ruler. It was a man who encountered Jesus, wanted eternal life, but was ultimately unwilling to forfeit his earthly possessions. You can read the story in Matthew 19 today.
The disciples were amazed and asked Jesus, “If even this one cannot be saved, then who can!?” Then Jesus replies with our key verse. Jesus acknowledges our human limitations but glorifies the power of God.
What Jesus was saying is that only through God can we be saved. The Young Ruler illustrated how impossible it is for humans to work, earn, or perform their way into heaven. He was the perfect candidate for religion. He was wealthy, well-mannered, and came with good intentions, but those attributes mattered very little to his eternal salvation.
I think of Paul’s reflection on Abraham found in Romans 4:2 NIV, saying, “If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God” Even if Abraham, the father of faith, could impress other people, it would still not be acceptable to God. We are not comparing to other people but to God. Paul’s point is that justification, redemption, and the gift of eternal life are not things we earn as a wage but something we receive as a gift.
Jesus is not just saying that anything is possible so that we would start dreaming up weird and wild fantasies. He is bringing a message of hope that the one thing most needed… the one thing that is impossible with man… God has made possible through Jesus.
There is no guarantee of this. Remember that the Young Ruler walked away from Jesus’s invitation to follow him. God is inviting you today to follow him. It may not be overly sensational or dramatic, but he faithfully calls us. Remember that we are his people, the sheep of his pasture. Part of staying in the pasture is relying on the God of the impossible.
I urge you to see the truth of this scripture today. Jesus is showing us the miracle of salvation, and it only came through his sacrifice. So would you stop what you’re doing and honor him with prayers and worship? Would you give thanks to the Lord?
He is good.
-
Abiding happens daily in his presence. Abiding Daily is a simple and practical reminder to stay connected to the vine. Each prompt is inspired by the scriptures and designed to point you toward prayer and encounter. You can follow us on Facebook and Instagram. To get the Daily Invitation sent to you every day click this link or text “Daily” to +1 (779) 237-3914.
-
Our first devotional book is available on our online store! Abiding Daily: Volume One is a devotional book including 120 prompts from the Daily Invitation. This book is designed to help believers connect with God through the word and discover more of what it means to abide in Christ. Click here to learn more.
