Just when you think you have life figured out; along comes something new that baffles you. Thirty years ago, this little cartoon would have made absolutely no sense, but now, its easy to understand (although a bit dumb). Still, as human beings, we don't know everything and are learning as things change on almost a daily basis. This is true now and it was in the distant past. And so we come to a rich man's encounter with Jesus...
Matthew, Chapter 19
16 Behold, one came to him and said, “Good teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?”
17 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 offer false testimony.’ 19 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”"
20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed 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 the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, "“Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”"
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"
17 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 offer false testimony.’ 19 ‘Honor your father and mother.’ And, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”"
20 The young man said to him, “All these things I have observed 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 the saying, he went away sad, for he was one who had great possessions. 23 Jesus said to his disciples, "“Most certainly I say to you, a rich man will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven with difficulty. 24 Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through a needle’s eye, than for a rich man to enter into the Kingdom of God.”"
25 When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 Looking at them, Jesus said, "“With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”"
We all like to have nice things and nice things require money, so its natural to want to hold onto what we have and even acquire more. Jesus' disciples knew this as they ask the question of verse 25 and gives them an expected answer: Look to God for the answer. Having money is a good thing, but when it overpowers ones desire to please God; its time for a change. A change from an emphasis on "THINGS" ,to putting the spiritual things of God first. This may seem impossible because we all need a lifeline (like the birds in the cartoon), but with God as our lifeline, EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!! Have faith, trust in God and let HIM do the seemingly impossible for you!!!