With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible. – Matthew 19:26
“I want it all – and I want it now…” Entitlement—it is a rampant problem in the world—from celebrities attempting to circumvent the rules, to political personalities not being held to the same accountability standards as other citizens. Most people deeply dislike egregious entitlement and have a desire for fairness to prevail. But it has proven impossible for humankind to fully balance the scales of justice.
In Jesus’ day, a rich young man approached him asking him how to guarantee his eternal life. Jesus reviewed the scriptures with him and extended an invitation for him to join His disciples in living a life of faith. Jesus encouraged him to sell his large quantity of goods and give the proceeds to the poor. We are told the young man went away very sad because he was willing to do something but NOT THAT! The Apostle Peter, picking up on the conversation, pointed out to Jesus “See, we have left everything and followed you. What then will WE have?” (Matthew 19:27).
Many, like the young man, would like to have a relationship with Christ but are suffering from a spiritual entitlement problem! They are unwilling to give up control of their lives and trust God. Later, Jesus confirmed to Peter that God is just and will take care of every person, “anyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). Today pray for those seeking justice across America to trust God, following Christ at all costs.
Today’s Verse: Matthew 19:26
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Micah 6:4-8
For I brought you up from the land of Egypt
and redeemed you from the house of slavery,
and I sent before you Moses,
Aaron, and Miriam.
5 O my people, remember what Balak king of Moab devised,
and what Balaam the son of Beor answered him,
and what happened from Shittim to Gilgal,
that you may know the righteous acts of the Lord.”
6 “With what shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself before God on high?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
7 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousands of rivers of oil?
Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?”
8 He has told you, O man, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you
but to do justice, and to love kindness,
and to walk humbly with your God?
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
