The One Year Bible Club with Teaching
Commentary by Nick Boork
January 29
Matthew 19:13-30
Commentary by Nick Boork
January 29
Matthew 19:13-30
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Then little children were brought to Him that He might put His hands on them and pray, but the disciples rebuked them. 14 But Jesus said, “Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” 15 And He laid His hands on them and departed from there. 16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?” 17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ” 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?” 21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, 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 wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
What did Jesus mean when He said it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Does God want us rich or poor? Does a Christian need to sell all his or her possessions and give the money to the poor in order to follow Christ? These are some of the questions that will be answered in today’s commentary. So let’s focus in on the rich young ruler and the amazing thing that Jesus said about it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. One misconception of what Jesus said to the rich young ruler is that everyone who comes to Jesus needs to sell all their material possessions and give it away to the poor. This is not a general requirement to follow Jesus because the Lord was talking to an individual, the rich young ruler. What Jesus discerned was that although this young man lived a good moral life his god was his riches. For this reason Jesus said if you want to be perfect sell everything that you have and give it to the poor and come and follow me.
Remember, once the young man heard this saying the Bible says he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. So, Jesus put his finger on the idol, his love of money and possessions. Jesus knew that if this young man was going to follow him he would have to put God over his money and this is something the young ruler was just not willing to do. It's in this context that Jesus said it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Some teach that the eye of a needle was a small little gate in the wall of ancient cities that if a camel got down on its knees and unloaded its cargo could be pushed through with difficulty.
But most Bible scholars say there is very little evidence for this. When Jesus said it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven he really meant what he said. He was referring to the eye of a sewing needle and everyone knows it's impossible for a camel to through the eye of a sewing needle. That's why the Bible says the disciples were astonished and responded to Jesus saying by asking; “who then can be saved?” Jesus answered by saying with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible. In other words, it's impossible for a man to save himself. Jesus is not teaching that rich people can't be saved. The Bible makes it very clear that we’re not saved by our own effort or through our works but through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ. No, you can't buy your way into the kingdom of heaven with money. Everyone has to come the same way by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
However, Jesus did say it's difficult for rich people to be saved. Why? Because many times they are unwilling to make Jesus Lord of their money and their money becomes an idol and this is why Jesus said in Matthew 6 you cannot serve God and Mammon which is money. People are either going to follow money or they're going to follow God. God will control their life and their destiny or money will control their decisions. The question is not do you have riches but do riches have you? Being poor doesn't mean you're more spiritual than someone who has riches. Remember, there are many blessings from God. There are spiritual, physical and material blessings!
A revelation that I received of the Lord that helps bring balance and understanding about material prosperity is that we live under a new covenant and the Bible says it is a better covenant than the old covenant. Hebrews 8:6 But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Now if under the old covenant according to Deuteronomy chapter 28 the people of God could be blessed materially and physically, God is not going to take these blessings away from his people under the new covenant. No, actually God has added even greater blessings to us in the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Now we have the fullness of God's spiritual blessings provided for us through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…
The apostle Paul said “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Cor. 1:20) More key verses that help us keep riches in perspective and balance are found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Here Paul addresses Christians in the Church that are prosperous and rich materially. He doesn't say go sell all that you have and give to the poor but he does say not to be prideful nor to put your faith in riches but in God. Then he acknowledged God as the source for providing us richly or abundantly all things material to enjoy. This is followed by instructions to be ready to give and willing to share all the material blessings that God has provided and in this way lay up treasures in heaven and lay hold of eternal life.
So, no matter if you have many possessions or few, keep Jesus Lord of all. Enjoy life and all God blesses you with materially but be willing to lay it all down for the cause of Christ should He speak to you as he spoke to the rich young ruler. Three times I have personally sold all my material possessions except for my car and clothing to pursue the call of God and to serve as missionary. I can testify that God has always been faithful to not only meet all my needs but also multiply His blessings back into my life, even supernaturally, but I will save some of those stories to share later. Thanks for listening to the One Year Bible Club. Let’s live for Jesus and pursue God’s purpose and plan for our lives.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
24 And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” 26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” 27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?” 28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, 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 wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
OKAY, HERE’S MY TEACHING COMMENTARY
What did Jesus mean when He said it’s easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of Heaven? Does God want us rich or poor? Does a Christian need to sell all his or her possessions and give the money to the poor in order to follow Christ? These are some of the questions that will be answered in today’s commentary. So let’s focus in on the rich young ruler and the amazing thing that Jesus said about it being easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. One misconception of what Jesus said to the rich young ruler is that everyone who comes to Jesus needs to sell all their material possessions and give it away to the poor. This is not a general requirement to follow Jesus because the Lord was talking to an individual, the rich young ruler. What Jesus discerned was that although this young man lived a good moral life his god was his riches. For this reason Jesus said if you want to be perfect sell everything that you have and give it to the poor and come and follow me.
Remember, once the young man heard this saying the Bible says he went away sorrowful for he had great possessions. So, Jesus put his finger on the idol, his love of money and possessions. Jesus knew that if this young man was going to follow him he would have to put God over his money and this is something the young ruler was just not willing to do. It's in this context that Jesus said it easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Some teach that the eye of a needle was a small little gate in the wall of ancient cities that if a camel got down on its knees and unloaded its cargo could be pushed through with difficulty.
But most Bible scholars say there is very little evidence for this. When Jesus said it's easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of heaven he really meant what he said. He was referring to the eye of a sewing needle and everyone knows it's impossible for a camel to through the eye of a sewing needle. That's why the Bible says the disciples were astonished and responded to Jesus saying by asking; “who then can be saved?” Jesus answered by saying with men this is impossible but with God all things are possible. In other words, it's impossible for a man to save himself. Jesus is not teaching that rich people can't be saved. The Bible makes it very clear that we’re not saved by our own effort or through our works but through the grace of God by faith in Jesus Christ. No, you can't buy your way into the kingdom of heaven with money. Everyone has to come the same way by grace through faith. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
However, Jesus did say it's difficult for rich people to be saved. Why? Because many times they are unwilling to make Jesus Lord of their money and their money becomes an idol and this is why Jesus said in Matthew 6 you cannot serve God and Mammon which is money. People are either going to follow money or they're going to follow God. God will control their life and their destiny or money will control their decisions. The question is not do you have riches but do riches have you? Being poor doesn't mean you're more spiritual than someone who has riches. Remember, there are many blessings from God. There are spiritual, physical and material blessings!
A revelation that I received of the Lord that helps bring balance and understanding about material prosperity is that we live under a new covenant and the Bible says it is a better covenant than the old covenant. Hebrews 8:6 But now He (Jesus) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as He is also Mediator of a better covenant, which was established on better promises. Now if under the old covenant according to Deuteronomy chapter 28 the people of God could be blessed materially and physically, God is not going to take these blessings away from his people under the new covenant. No, actually God has added even greater blessings to us in the new covenant through Jesus Christ. Now we have the fullness of God's spiritual blessings provided for us through Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ…
The apostle Paul said “For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Cor. 1:20) More key verses that help us keep riches in perspective and balance are found in 1 Timothy 6:17-19 “Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” Here Paul addresses Christians in the Church that are prosperous and rich materially. He doesn't say go sell all that you have and give to the poor but he does say not to be prideful nor to put your faith in riches but in God. Then he acknowledged God as the source for providing us richly or abundantly all things material to enjoy. This is followed by instructions to be ready to give and willing to share all the material blessings that God has provided and in this way lay up treasures in heaven and lay hold of eternal life.
So, no matter if you have many possessions or few, keep Jesus Lord of all. Enjoy life and all God blesses you with materially but be willing to lay it all down for the cause of Christ should He speak to you as he spoke to the rich young ruler. Three times I have personally sold all my material possessions except for my car and clothing to pursue the call of God and to serve as missionary. I can testify that God has always been faithful to not only meet all my needs but also multiply His blessings back into my life, even supernaturally, but I will save some of those stories to share later. Thanks for listening to the One Year Bible Club. Let’s live for Jesus and pursue God’s purpose and plan for our lives.
PRAYER TO APPLY THE WORD OF GOD TO OUR LIVES
ORDINATION
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll
We provide Ministry Credentials and Ordination through Diamond Ministerial Association. Click to learn more and apply! http://www.diamondinstitute.org/ordination
ONLINE COURSES
For Bible courses and ministry resources see our online school Diamond Institute. Enroll free today and get access to our free and pay as you go courses. http://www.diamondinstitute.org/enroll