Off-load to enter

Rev. Tetteh-Annor Larbi | June 27, 2023 | Matthew 19:23-26

KEY VERSE:

But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26 (NIV)

MESSAGE: We saw the young man who left Jesus’ presence troubled by what Jesus had asked him to do; to sell all his possessions and give the money to the poor. He indeed had great wealth and was very much attached to his wealth, making it very difficult to let it go, and come to follow Jesus.

In today’s text, Jesus makes another statement, that, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Then, He also said, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of the needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. The interpretation of what the “eye of the needle” means here is key to understanding Jesus’s comparison. Again, the context in which these statements were made can also not be overlooked. The eye of the needle is a narrow gate in Jerusalem (some believe the same was also found in Damascus), and since camels were usually heavily loaded with goods and riders, they would have to be unloaded before they can pass through that gate.

A rich man who has his heart in his possessions would also have to offload his weight of trusting in his possessions before entering the kingdom of heaven. So, Jesus was saying that we can easily unload or off-load camels for them to enter that small and narrow gate, but it will be extremely difficult for a rich man who trusts in his riches to remove his trust from his riches to trust in God (Jesus) and enter the kingdom of God. Jesus said sell your possessions and come and follow me. (Matt 19:21)

But then he said, though it is difficult it is possible. As hard and as difficult as it may seem, it is possible with God. For with God, all things are possible.

FEET AND HANDS OF THE MESSAGE What seems to be that thing that is preventing you from having the joy of your salvation? What is that thing that seems impossible to surmount and is hindering your intimacy with God? Is there some besetting sin you have tried many times to overcome unsuccessfully? Do you feel like it is impossible to have intimacy with God? OFF-LOAD IT ONTO JESUS AND ENTER INTO HIS REST.

PRAYER Heavenly Father, help me to see Jesus as my helper and burden bearer to find rest in Him. For your dear name’s sake. Amen.

THERE SHALL BE SHOWERS OF BLESSINGS SHOWERS! BLESSINGS!!