Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to pass through [the] eye of [a] needle than for one who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 They were exceedingly astonished and said among themselves, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “For human beings it is impossible, but not for God. All things are possible for God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “We have given up everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Amen, I say to you, there is no one who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands for my sake and for the sake of the gospel 30 who will not receive a hundred times more now in this present age: houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and eternal life in the age to come. 31 But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first.”
In OT Judaism, wealth was often viewed as a sign of divine favor (Deut. 28:11-12). It was difficult for someone to give up wealth and all of its benefits. So, the disciples were amazed at what Jesus told them. He used a proverb about something that was impossible (v. 25) to help them understand how difficult it was for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Even if one gave away all of one’s wealth, that would not be enough to guarantee one’s salvation. One should not trust in status, wealth or abilities because the power of God and reliance on God alone are the only way to salvation (Mt. 4:8-10; Mt. 6:24).
Peter asked, “Then who can be saved (v. 26)?” What was the reward for sacrificing everything to follow Jesus (v, 28)? Riches can be an obstacle to discipleship. The disciples would not be rewarded with worldly riches but with spiritual riches from the Christian community and a rich social and religious fellowship. The rewards of discipleship will be greater than the sacrifices they have to make both now and in the future (v. 30).
When Jesus said, “But many that are first will be last, and [the] last will be first (v. 31)” he did not mean that only the poor get to heaven. He also did not mean that those who were poor in this world would rule over the rich in the next. In the context of this passage, Jesus was speaking about those who are willing to give up everything for his sake and the sake of the Gospel versus those who pursue worldly riches (v. 29).
Almighty God, lead us along the path you have chosen and grant us the gift of faith so that we can willingly make the sacrifices necessary for the sake of your Son and the Gospel. Help us to love you above all things, to serve you without desiring a reward, and to love and serve our brothers and sisters without reservation. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
__________________________________
References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
Comments