Eye of the Needle

Who then can be saved?

In Matthew 19 a young rich man comes to Jesus in the asks what he must do to have eternal life. He details the way he has followed God’s law and then Jesus encourages him to give to the poor. But the young man goes away disheartened because he had great wealth.

Jesus than announces how hard it will be for the rich who are supposed to be blessed by the Lord to get into the kingdom of heaven. He says it would be easier for a camel to go through a night of a needle than for the rich enter the kingdom of heaven.

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”  – Matthew 19:25–26

The disciples did not ask how then can the rich be saved. They asked how anyone can be saved. The answer Jesus gives is critical for us to hear. It is impossible for human beings to save them selves and get them selves into the kingdom of heaven on their own efforts. But with God all things are possible. But with God even those who are sinners can be saved!

For Christ came to save sinners.

Christ is the only one who can.

Luke 5:32 – I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”

1 Timothy 1:15 – Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.