Matthew 19

Matthew 19:21 NIV

[21] Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

The rich young man could not let go of his wealth to follow Jesus. What are we afraid to give up in order to follow Jesus?

Matthew 19:24-26 NIV

[24] Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” [25] When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” [26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26 NIV

[26] Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

With God all things are possible. How are we limiting God?  What are we thinking is impossible and therefore limiting God and ourselves?

Matthew 19:28-29 NIV

[28] Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, at the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. [29] And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life.

This promise, and many others, give us hope that there is something better.  This reminds me of the story of the woman who wanted to buried with a fork. A church functions they always reminded people to keep their fork after the meal because something better was coming.