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Mission Impossible

Matthew 19:22&23
"22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.
23 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven."

He goes away "sorrowful." The "rich young ruler" who approached Jesus dying to KNOW what he needs to do to EARN eternal life. When Jesus said "keep the commandments." The young man said "GREAT! I've done that!" Next, Jesus said "If thou wilt BE PERFECT, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and FOLLOW ME."

Christianity is not for the faint of heart or the proud. When we come to Christ He knows what's in our hearts and minds. Like our friend the "rich young ruler" who thinks he is great because he has kept the commandments! Then Jesus shows him what true charity would look like. This makes his weakness that was lurking in his mind clearly visible to all. 

"But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions." This young man was NOT ready to give up everything he had, leaving everything he knew behind and heading out on the open road with Jesus and His rag tag group. This is a powerful moment; the "rich young ruler" was witnessed asking questions that many in the crowd listening wanted to hear the answer to. Much of the crowd probably knew him or at least who he was. Some, might have been friends of his. They all just witnessed Jesus give him an invitation to follow Him and... and he hangs his head and walks away. Was the crowd in stunned silence? Or were they whispering to each other energized by what the saw?

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall HARDLY enter into the kingdom of heaven." It is said that the original Greek is much stronger than the "HARDLY" we read. Which makes it seem difficult. When Jesus's expression was closer to saying it's pretty much IMPOSSIBLE. 


When Jesus speaks about the “kingdom of heaven” He is not talking about a state of happiness after death. He is talking about the spiritual life and the culture of those that realize FAITH while here upon earth. People who become little children and do not care for wealth, stature and the other things that people spend their lives perusing rather than FAITH in the one TRUE Savior; Jesus Christ. 
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