Impossible

Introduction

We are very used to paying our own way. If we want something we have to pay for it. So it isn’t uncommon to ask, what does it cost? Knowing the cost allows us to make a better decision. Once we know how much something costs then we can decide if we want to spend money in that way. Something that is $20/month really means it is $240 for the year. And depending on how much you income is, then it is a percentage of your work or of your income. In other words, one has to work so many hours to pay for that. While we don’t often think in those specific terms, we do think in terms of “Can I afford something?”

To purchase an item then means that work is involved. Or a part of you is involved. In other words, every purchase involves your time, energy, work, thought. Every purchase is personal. It is so personal that we may think “Look at what I bought.” It doesn’t take long to look around at the material things that surround us and think “I have done well. I have enough or I want more.” Purchasing things is personal. We take great pride in what we can purchase.

We can approach God in the same way. What does it take in order to be connected to Him? Our speech demonstrates what we think. When things are not going well, we may in our frustration object by saying “I don’t get it. I try to do the right thing and these things happen to me.” We may even get personal “Why are you letting these things happen to me?” we say to God. The point is that there is to be an equal exchange. Our allegiance is supposed to come with certain benefits—not least of which is avoiding suffering.

We may not think so specifically about our relationship with God but our hearts betray us at those challenging times. We paid our dues, God owes us. Too direct? Again, listen to your thoughts. As C.S. Lewis in the Screwtape Letters wrote, “There are two kinds of people: those who say to God, ‘Thy will be done,’ and those to whom God says, ‘All right, then, have it your way.” Our desire is to give our allegiance to God. We are going to look at a text this morning that reminds us that walking with God requires something of us, but it isn’t necessarily what we think. We cannot buy our relationship with God.

What Must I Do?

In between the parable of the Pharisee and Tax Collector and our text today is a short text about Jesus blessing children. He says that those who want to enter the kingdom must become like a little child. Some think Jesus is talking about childlike innocence. But he isn’t. Luke’s arrangement of material gives us a clue. According to the previous parable, God endorses humility. The children represent that as well. Jesus blesses the children and calls all to be like children—without power, without authority, lowly.

To further illustrate that point we come to our text. A man comes to Jesus seeking the kingdom. But he does not come in childlike humility. He comes in full confidence. He is one who is sure of himself and his abilities. The word “good” speaks of his flattery. Jesus’ response demonstrates that he is trying to get this ruler to place his focus on God rather than himself. “Tell me what I must do to inherit eternal life and I will do it.” His focus was on himself. No humility. It was about his power; his ability; his resources.

Jesus points him to a portion of the 10 commandments which seems odd at first. Jesus points to the law as it applies to how one treats others. Jesus’ answer is not to endorse a purchasing of the kingdom but to call the ruler to reflect—how have you treated others? The man’s response reveals his pride. “I’ve done these things since I was a teenager.” With checklist in hand, the man speaks of his personal honor. No humility. Pride. “If this is all that is required then I am in good shape.” But one thing is missing: to sell all and distribute the proceeds to the poor and then follow Jesus.

Jesus gets to the heart of the matter—for it is the heart that matters. This man’s heart full of pride has succeeded in life. His wealth has made life easy. He can take a bit of his money and give it to the beggar and feel good that he has helped someone. But most of all the man has learned how to rely on himself rather than God. So Jesus offers him the kingdom—it comes with the expression of dependence on God rather than dependence on yourself. Is this not the same point as was made with the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector? The Pharisee showed God how good he is and the Tax Collector expressed how good God is.

The man’s sadness shows how dependent he was on his wealth and the disciples’ reaction reveals the common thought of their day. Rich people were rich because God blessed them. How can God turn away the person who has been blessed by God? In exaggeration, Jesus says it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter into the kingdom. Why? Because wealth brings pride. If the rich can’t be saved, is there any hope for the rest of us? Of course. Because salvation isn’t about us it is about God. It’s impossible for us. It’s possible for God.

Lesson

There is a difference between the person who is dependent upon God and the person who depends on self. There is a difference in how the questions are asked. The ruler asks “What must I DO to inherit eternal life?” The crowd listening to Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 asks the same question but out of humility and repentance. The ruler asks in order to demonstrate his resources. The crowd in Acts 2 asks because they have no resources. Which are you? What does it mean to depend on God? What does it look like?

It looks like the person who shares with others. It looks like the person who is quick to forgive. It looks like the person who refuses to condemn because of mercy.

There is a difference between a person who is trying to make his or her own way in this world through resources and those who are trying to live in this world to demonstrate their dependence on God. There is a difference between the self-made person and the person who is being made over by the Lord. There is a difference between the person who is confident in themselves and the person who is confident in God. And there is a difference between the person who wants to try the impossible and the one who knows that possibilities are found only in God.

The person who declares their faithfulness based on church attendance, Bible reading, and the way they treat others has determined that their goodness will secure their relationship with God. The person who declares their faithfulness based on the mercy of God and what only God can do understands faith. This isn’t to say that attendance, Bible reading, and how we treat others isn’t important but that these measures only demonstrate dependence upon self rather than dependence upon God.

Dependence on God looks like the person who lives confidently and courageously in this world because they have nothing to prove. It looks like the person who finds ways to point others to God. It looks like the person who seeks God’s will not his own. It looks like the person who treats others well not for what they can do in return. It looks like the person who speaks truth so that others may know the God of truth. It looks like the person who knows that sacrifice in this world means little compared to the world to come. Upon whom do you depend?

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