Our series of Kingdom Principles continues this Sunday with a look at Matthew 19:16-30.  A young man, who is financially blessed, comes to Jesus and says, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”  The young man, being happy with Jesus answer, satisfied that he’s done what’s needed, says, “Anything else?” (“What do I still lack?”)  So Jesus gives an additional challenge, “If you want to be perfect, sell everything you have and give it to the poor, and come follow me.”  And the young man goes away sad.

The disciples are a bit alarmed at Jesus answer to this eager rich young man.  Peter says, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus answer says it all, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

I love this story.  We tend to get lost in the fact that the young man was rich and Jesus told him to sell everything and follow him.  I don’t think any of us have sold everything to follow Jesus.  We react very much like Peter does, “Who then can be saved?”  Exactly.

There is much more going on in this story than Jesus telling a young rich man to sell everything he has.  What do you think it is?  What is it that Jesus is after in this interaction and teaching?  This story fits well into our series on Kingdom Principles.  This Sunday’s principle is Provision.  We have touched on the principles of Humility, Forgiveness, and Grace.  We continue this Sunday with Provision and move on to Desire, Suffering, and Mercy.

See you Sunday,
Pastor Mark