LINKED TO THE SOURCE
23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!”
24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.”
26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, “Who then can be saved?”
27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God.” Mark 10:23-27
Peter was dumbfounded. As spokesman as usual, he blurted out what was on his mind. Jesus’ observation, in response to the rich man’s crestfallen reaction to His reply, left him (Peter) completely confused. According to his understanding, wealth was the evidence of God’s favour and blessing on a life. Surely, then, that blessing must include the reward of eternal life. And yet this man had no such assurance and was seeking it from Jesus through some deed he thought he needed to do.
As the man walked slowly away, Jesus gazed after him with a wistful comment. Wealth is not a sign that one is in the kingdom. Rather, it’s the biggest hindrance to experiencing and enjoying the kingdom – unless, of course, one’s wealth is a servant to serve those who are in the kingdom.
The disciples’ minds reeled. If wealthy people have no chance of experiencing the kingdom of God, what chance do we poor folk have? Jesus’ reply was blunt. “No chance at all if you think it depends upon you. Every chance in the world if you realise it’s about God’s grace.” Once again Jesus zeroed in on the heart of the matter. Externals don’t count. Wealth or poverty is not the determining factors. Eternal life is a matter of the heart.
And again, Peter opened his mouth. “Look how good we are, Jesus! We left everything for you.” Jesus graciously acknowledged that. “Yes, Peter, you have and you won’t lose out for me. You’ll get back more than you forfeited, but remember that this journey is not trouble-free. What you receive in this life is only temporary, and it brings its own troubles. The true reward is your bond with me. That will last forever long after this life is over.”
Paradoxically, what might appear to be God’s favour and blessing actually turns out to be a hindrance, pushing the ones who think they have it all to the end of the queue. Those who have nothing and are aware of it stand first in line for the benefits of depending on and living in union with their source. They don’t need the world’s wealth because they are joined by faith to the Giver of life. They are linked to a limitless supply. That is true life.