Overcoming the Impossible

Many of us have lived through some hard times. Some of you can remember the Great Depression. My father grew up in Alexandria, Louisiana, and claims that his family was so poor that they didn’t even know it. He shared a bedroom with his brother,... the bedroom was the screen porch. The temperature of his room matched the outdoor temperature. I remember him telling me that he woke up one morning to find that his pet gold fish had frozen in ice in the fish bowl. It was a cold winter morning, a screen porch for a bedroom, and no heater to provide warmth. This is a far contrast to kids today that think they have to have a nice room, with a TV and a X-Box or GameCube. Most of us today live a blessed life. . . and we don’t even know it. Our sermon today is based on the Gospel reading where the Jesus asks a Rich Young Man to sell everything and give the money to the poor. Now I ask you, aren’t you glad that Jesus is not asking you to do the same? ... Jesus did this to prove a point and we will get to it a little later.

There is much more to the event of the Rich Young Man and the Scripture needs to be broken down so that we can digest the heart of the issue. Scripture reads: "As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. "Good teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" [Mark 10:17] There is a lot to unpack out of this sentence. "A man ran up to him and fell on his knees". The man didn’t walk up, or wander by, or wait for Jesus to walk by, but instead, he ran up to Jesus. Why would he run? It is obvious that he had heard about Jesus, and had a great deal of respect for Jesus. He was anxious to be in Jesus presence indicated by his running up to Jesus. The man also had a great deal of respect for Jesus which is shown by the fact that he kneeled or fell on his knees before Christ. The respect also carries over into his address to Jesus when he calls him "Good teacher". Notice that he did not refer to Jesus as just "teacher", but as "Good teacher". I think it is also worthy to note that he did not call him Lord or Jesus Christ or any title that would signify Jesus’ divinity, but rather addresses the "man" Jesus. There are many people out in the world that look at Jesus as a good teacher, or a prophet, but they do not see Jesus as their Lord and Savior. Jesus did not want his admiration but rather adoration! The third part of the sentence is his question "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" Such an important question to ask! He didn’t waste time with idle chit-chat about the weather, the news, or "How bout those New Orleans Saints"! He asked a question that has burned in many hearts... "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" The problem is what must "I" do to inherit eternal life. The rich young man wrongly thinks that he must do something to inherit eternal life. By putting in the "I", he is focusing on himself instead of Christ. In essence, he is stating what must "I" do to earn my salvation. He is seeing Salvation as being dependant on himself rather than Salvation being a free gift from Christ. Salvation without faith in Jesus Christ is IMPOSSIBLE!

Jesus is more than a "Good teacher", but shows his teaching abilities in his response. Keep in mind that Jesus is God and knows everything about the rich young man. Jesus responds:

18 "Why do you call me good?" Jesus answered. "No one is good—except God alone.

Jesus often likes to teach by leading people through questions and then expose their sinful nature through the use of the Law. Now remember, the purpose of the law is to show us that we cannot fulfill the law, but to show us that we fall short and cannot live a perfect life. It is impossible for us to fulfill the law, because one sin destroys being able to fulfill the law. Romans 3:20 states: "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin." To fulfill the law is to live a perfect life, never sinning.... and that’s IMPOSSIBLE! Scripture also states in James 2:10 "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it."

Jesus continues his response with a rebuttal question.

19 "You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, do not defraud, honor your father and mother.’"

Jesus jumps straight to the law and begins to set up the rich young man. Jesus lists the 5^th Commandment, the 6^th, 7^th, 8^th, and then the 4^th Commandment. Jesus first focuses on the 2^nd table of the law. The rich young man was obviously a very moral person and concerned about his Salvation. He is trying to live his life without breaking the law. He is trying to overcome the impossible. He is focused on his actions instead of Christ’s action. The rich young man responds:

20 Teacher, he declared, "all these I have kept since I was a boy."

The rich young man was sincere and was not boasting or bragging. He is trying earnestly to live an upright life!

Now Jesus goes to the heart of the issue. Scripture states:

21 Jesus looked at him and loved him. "One thing you lack," he said. "Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." 22 At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Notice that before Jesus spoke, He looked at him and loved him. Jesus harbored no ill will, nor did he glare or sneer at the young man, but Jesus looked at him and loved him. Jesus was more concerned with teaching and saving this man’s soul. When Jesus told him to go, sell everything and give to the poor, the man’s face fell. The rich young man that ran up to Jesus went away sad, because he had great wealth. Where do you stand on this question? We live in America, the land of opportunity. Most adults have a car, a house, and plenty of food in the pantry. Most of us do not fall into the "rich" category nor the "poor" category. Compared to 2/3's of the world, we are all rich! We may claim that we are not materialistic people, yet I bet most of you would not be willing to sell all of our possessions. We would not be willing to part with our TV, our car, maybe the computer, nor our house. Most of you want to keep what you own to the point that you are not even willing to cheerfully return a 10% tithe back to God. Stewardship is not about trying to get people to give more, but to hold on less! It all belongs to God. This sermon is not about tithing or giving to the Church, but I am using this event to show you that we fall short in fulfilling the law of God. For me or you to fulfill the Law according to God’s command is simply IMPOSSIBLE.

Jesus continues teaching his disciples. Scripture states:

23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, "How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!"

24 The disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said again, "Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

It’s not impossible for a rich person to enter heaven, but the power of wealth can easily get in the way. The problem with the rich young man and with money itself is that it leads to "self-trust" instead of trusting in God. This is a violation of the 1^st Commandment "You shall have no other gods." Luther adds "We should fear, love, and TRUST in God above all things." Whoever trust in his riches cannot be saved, because such trust excludes Jesus Christ and our Salvation is in Jesus Christ alone! Jesus teaches the rich young man through the use of the law that his god is his wealth. Jesus’ statement: "it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God" is an illustration of IMPOSSIBLE. It is impossible to get a camel through the eye of a sewing needle. The power of money, wealth, and possessions is phenomenal! Jesus is also teaching us today that it is impossible for you to enter the Kingdom of Heaven on your own. The rich young man wanted to earn his way to heaven and he couldn’t and neither can you. It is impossible for you to enter the Kingdom of Heaven by yourself.

The disciples, focusing on themselves, still don’t get it. Scripture reads:

26 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?"

We can understand why the disciples would ask such a question. In America, don’t we often think of the rich as favored by God? God bless America? The disciples get their answer from Jesus. He responds:

27"With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."

It is impossible for you earn your Salvation, but with God, all things are possible. To overcome the impossible requires God! Salvation is a free gift. You do not earn it! You are saved by faith alone. Listen to the words of Paul in Ephesians:

2:8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.

So then, how do we answer the question of the rich young man, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" The answer is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! Jesus Christ has done everything necessary for you! Through your faith in Jesus Christ, you have eternal life. Jesus comes to you today through his Word, cleansing you of your sins and bringing you faith. It is His action, not yours. Yes, it is impossible for you to earn your way to heaven! Thank Jesus for being your Savior and saving you! The only way to overcome the impossible is through Jesus Christ. Rejoice in your saving faith and in the eternal life he has given you. In fact, let’s thank him together by saying "Thank you, Jesus"... Amen