With God all things are possible

About a week ago, I was reading in the Bible where Jesus told His disciples it was hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. In fact, He said, "It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." (Matthew 19:24)

There aren't nearly as many rich men around now as there were a year ago. Economic woes seem to be everywhere, from bankruptcies and foreclosures to layoffs and cutbacks. I recently learned that someone I know is selling off personal belongings on eBay just to make ends meet. I can't help but wonder if there will be a flood of new people entering the kingdom of heaven.

The rich young man Jesus was talking about was great at following commandments, but the one thing he could not bring himself to do was to sell his possessions and give to the poor. The question he had asked Jesus right from the start was, "Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?" (Matthew 19:16)

Did this man love money and what it could buy more than he desired eternal life with God? Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. 

The disciples were shocked at Jesus' words concerning how hard it was for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven, and they asked Him who could then be saved. He replied, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."  (Matthew 19:26)

If something Jesus describes as being as unlikely as a camel going through the eye of a needle is not impossible for God, then think how many other things are not impossible for Him, either. In fact, God specializes in the impossible. 

Moses and the Israelites found themselves trapped with a sea in front of them and the Egyptians in hot pursuit. There was no way out...until God parted the sea and they were able to walk across on dry land. (Exodus 14)

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego would not worship an image of gold instead of God. They were bound and thrown into a blazing furnace, but they came out unburned and did not even smell of smoke. (Daniel 3)

Daniel would not pray to the king, so he was thrown into a den of hungry lions overnight. But he was removed the next day unharmed. (Daniel 6)

Peter was asleep, imprisoned between soldiers, bound by chains, and guarded by sentries. God sent an angel to help him, those chains fell off, and Peter walked away undetected. (Acts 12)

Jesus died. The Son of God, come to forgive sins, was crucified and buried in a tomb. Was He really who He said He was? A dead man cannot forgive sins - that would be impossible. A dead man cannot save souls - that would be impossible. But on the third day, Jesus rose from the dead, just as He said He would. When He came to the disciples, they were not sure it was really Him and thought it might be a ghost. But Jesus said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have." (Luke 24:38-39)

Jesus is alive! Not only that, but He promises that those who trust in Him will live forever with Him.

An abundance of money will not solve our problems. Neither will a lack of it. Only Jesus is able to give true and lasting peace to your heart even in the midst of turmoil, and only He is able to grant eternal life. And He can do that no matter what is blocking your path, what fiery trial lies before you, what lions are hungry to devour you, what chains have bound you or how much money is in your pocket.

With God all things really are possible.

Lisa Jisa and her family have been residents of Ahwatukee Foothills since 2000. She can be reached at lisa.jisa@gmail.com.