December 12

“The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke 18:27

Jesus has just stated that if it is absolutely impossible for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye, then it is even more impossible for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. We Christians are all like camels; big or small ones, maybe, but still camels. So when Peter heard this statement, he was uneasy. If eternal life is to be obtained by such impossible contortions, then who can be saved? Have we all to set to work to impoverish ourselves before we are saved?

The Lord Jesus answered Peter’s problem with one sentence: “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” What was wrong with the young ruler was not his wealth so much as the fact that he went away sorrowful. Why did he not cry out for grace? Why did he not ask God to do the impossible for him? Man's failure is not due to his weakness, but to his unwillingness to let God deliver him.