The rich young ruler had an urgent question. He asked Jesus how he could somehow grasp eternal life. The man assured Jesus that he had kept all the commandments since he was a boy. Then Jesus put forth a way for the man to demonstrate that he had kept Commandment #1—having no other gods before the one true God. Jesus told the man to go sell all he had and give to the poor. The man walked away from Jesus because his money was his god.

Mark 10:24-27
And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.” And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

Jesus noted the difficulty for men and women to acknowledge their spiritual needs. There are many things in this journey through life that we choose to depend on: ourselves, relationships, careers, family, hobbies, possessions—the list goes on. The man in this story depended on his money. Too often, the almighty dollar takes the place of the Almighty. But in Jesus’ day, wealth was seen as a sign of God’s blessing. So, the disciples were confused. They reasoned that if it was hard for a man who received God’s blessing to be saved, there was no hope for anyone else. The door was wide open for Jesus to make his point.

Using a common saying in his day, Jesus noted that it is impossible to fit a camel through the eye of a needle. And it’s impossible for the rich or poor, man or woman, young or old, to save their souls. Salvation is all about grace, and grace is all about God. Only God can take a heart broken by sin and make it whole again. Only God can bridge the chasm between himself and sinful man and provide the way to make that relationship right. Have you trusted in God to do what is impossible for you? If not, use the following prayer as your guide.

Father, I admit that I am far from you. I am lost and can’t find my way home. I am broken and can’t mend my heart. I am separated from you and can’t close the great gap. Salvation is impossible for me…but not for you. Please do for me what I cannot do for myself. Through the work of Jesus, bring me into a personal relationship with you. I trust in Jesus as the only way I can know you now and for eternity. In Jesus’ name. Amen.