Matthew 19:13–30

Salvation and how to find it

Jesus talked to the people again. He reminded them how to enter his kingdom. They must accept Jesus’ rule. Their possessions, too, must be available for Jesus to use.

Jesus is the friend of children (Matthew 19:13–15)

This short passage is a lovely one. In those days, people did not think that children had any worth. People often neglected children. But Jesus welcomed them. Then he used the situation, as he often did. He showed more about the nature of his kingdom.

In Matthew 18:1–13, Jesus emphasised different values. There were the values of his kingdom. Children have a simple trust. People must ‘become like little children in their minds’ (Matthew 18:3). They must be humble, like a child (Matthew 18:4). But also there were the values of people who did not believe in him. Their values were very different.

In this passage, Jesus could be talking to members of his kingdom. They must be like children in their attitudes. So, there could be a reference to the way that people deal with them. They must be ready for people to deal with them badly. They must be ready to be like a servant.

Jesus spoke to those who were rich (Matthew 19:16–30)

Jesus continued his final journey. He was on his way to Jerusalem city. He used every chance to teach important lessons. Jesus talked to a rich young man. Jesus showed the way to enter his kingdom. Two words describe how to enter his kingdom. They are trust and obey. This is what everyone must do. Each person must trust Jesus and they must obey Jesus. That is the way to have salvation.

The young man who came to Jesus was rich. He was a man with honour. He was an honest, good man. He was attractive too. (Read Mark 10:21.) He was a local leader. (Read Luke 18:18.) He had many advantages. But he was still not satisfied. He felt that he did not have a right relationship with God (Matthew 19:16). Because he had this sense of need, he ran to Jesus. (Read Mark 10:17.)

Jesus’ talk with the young man teaches us two things. The young man believed that he could cause God to be pleased with him. But he thought that he could do this by his own efforts. He had tried very hard. But he still did not feel at peace. Jesus told him that effort is never enough. To please God, he must have complete trust in him. He must put Jesus first in his life. He must follow Jesus (Matthew 19:21).

The whole book of Matthew emphasises this. Only Jesus’ death can deal with the problem of sin. Any personal effort must fail. The young man’s reaction to Jesus was very, very sad. His money was most important to him. So he did not follow Jesus (Matthew 19:22). Jesus’ demands were too great for him. This meant that the young man remained unhappy.

Read Matthew 19:23–26 again. In each century, people have had the same idea about this passage. They suggest that Jesus was describing something that was very hard. But Jesus was clearly speaking about something that was impossible. The disciples understood this (Matthew 19:25–26). We must learn about the beliefs of Jews at that time. Then it will become even clearer. Today, we tend to think that God loves poor people specially. But in the first century, it was the opposite. Then, people thought that a person’s wealth and success was important. These things showed that God was pleased with them. That was what people thought then.

Jesus emphasised that even a rich man could not save himself. This showed that nobody could ever earn salvation by personal effort. Then Jesus continued. What is impossible for humans is possible for God. God can do all things. It does not matter how rich we are. And it does not matter how important we are (Matthew 19:30). We do not earn salvation. We receive it as a gift from God.

Jesus demanded much from the young man. But Jesus did not want people to have the wrong idea about salvation. It does not mean that life will be hard all the time. Salvation gives us many joys in this life (Matthew 19:29). Then there is the life that is future. There will be more than anyone could want or imagine then (Matthew 19:28).

Questions

  • What possessions should I keep for my family and for me? What proportion should I give away? How does this passage help?
  • The Christian gospel means Good News. Jesus showed that there are demands and there are joys. How could the members of the church explain these things to people? Some people do not think very seriously at all. Other people think very seriously. They could feel that they must give away everything. How could you help both of these groups?
  • What things stop your neighbours and friends from following Jesus today? How much do possessions take God’s place in their lives?