Part Two: The Possible Impossible

Even after the young man failed twice to acknowledge his self-righteousness, Jesus continued to try to expose the sin in his heart.  The young man asked, “What am I still lacking?” (Matthew 19:20)  Jesus replied, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me” (Matthew 19:21).  At this, the young man “went away grieving for he was one who owned much property” (Matthew 19:22). 

At least two sins were revealed here: First, the young man was not as blameless as he thought he was because he was guilty of loving himself and his possessions more than his neighbor, (which was a broken commandment according to v.19), and second, he lacked true faith which requires an unparalleled devotion to Jesus.  This is when Jesus called over His disciples to teach them a lesson.  He said, “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” (Matthew 19:24).  The disciple’s response was, “Then who can be saved?” or, “Then how is it possible for anyone to be qualified to enter the kingdom of God?” (Matthew 19:25)

This is where the famous and oft quoted verse comes in, which is the inspiration for our question.  Jesus replied, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26).  This answers our first contextual issue, for we can now see that the “this” concerns salvation.  It is impossible for man to save himself by his own merits, or for the law to grant eternal life.  The grace offered only by Jesus Christ is necessary.  The question now is, “What did Jesus mean by ‘all things?’”

Continued in Part Three.