Matthew - Week 61

Camels and Needles 

READ 

Matthew 19:22-24 

22 But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I’ll say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 

The young man had boasted of keeping all the commandments, even loving his neighbor as himself. Jesus put him to the test when He told him to sell everything and give to the poor. He failed the test because he was rich and went away sad. The disciples did not understand why riches were not a blessing as the Old Testament taught. Jesus explained how trusting in them can keep one out of heaven. Some think it was possible for a camel to kneel down and with difficulty get through the small space in the wall, but Jesus was emphasizing it was impossible, not just difficult. 

REFLECT 

Some trust riches more than putting trust in Jesus. Is there anything you are trusting that is keeping you from trusting Jesus as your Savior? 

RESPOND 

Talk with a friend about whatever else you are trusting in. Nothing compares to trusting in Jesus as Savior. Read James 2:18-20 to see that demons believe God exists; however, they do not believe in or trust Him for salvation.  

Possible with God 

READ 

Matthew 19:25-26 

25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 

The disciples were thinking of natural laws and asked who could possibly be saved because of what Jesus said. Jesus then told them that the new birth was a supernatural act of God, not of humans. Jesus looked at them intently. He seemed to want to drive home His point to them that salvation was a supernatural act of God.  

REFLECT 

Can you imagine what this was like for the disciples when Jesus looked at them intently to give emphasis to His statements? What would you think if He looked at you this way? 

RESPOND 

Read John 1:10-13 to see how the apostle John emphasized that the new birth is supernatural, not of natural means. Point out to others that no matter how spiritual their parents were or are, they have to make a personal decision to trust in Jesus as Savior. 

Twelve Thrones 

READ 

Matthew 19:27-28 

27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get?” 28 Jesus replied, “I assure you that when the world is made new and the Son of Man sits upon his glorious throne, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” 

Peter was still thinking naturally and wondered what the disciples would get for giving up everything and following Jesus. Jesus reminded the disciples that in eternity when Jesus is on the throne they would be richly rewarded. They would actually be judges of the twelve tribes of Israel. This must have struck the disciples as an unbelievable reward for following Jesus. 

REFLECT 

Think about the rewards you will receive for following Jesus.  

RESPOND 

With a fellow believer, read 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 for the description of rewards believers will receive. This is not a test for salvation; they are in heaven because they are saved. This describes rewards given to those who build on the foundation of Jesus in the lives of others. Talk about how you are building into the lives of other believers in Jesus. 

Inherit Eternal Life 

READ 

Matthew 19:29-30 

29 “And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.” 

This is a comforting passage for those who have given up possessions and family to follow what they believe Jesus wants them to do. His words are sobering to realize that some who are in the limelight now and considered to be great will not be important then. It is a great promise to realize that some who seem to be the least important now will be the greatest then. 

REFLECT 

The late world evangelist, Billy Graham, was told one time of the great number of rewards it was thought he would receive in heaven. His reply was that he thought the one who would get the most was some unknown widow lady who prayed so faithfully for him and his crusades. 

RESPOND 

Read John 3:27-30 to see what John the Baptist said when his disciples were concerned he was losing popularity. Let this also be your attitude. 

Vineyard Workers 

READ 

Matthew 20:1-2 

1 “For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work.” 

It is from this parable that the amount of a day’s wages is found and used in other Scriptures: it was one denarius. When modern translations refer to how many days’ pay it would take to do something, this is the amount they have in mind for each day. This parable will teach a valuable lesson to Jesus’ listeners—and to us today. 

REFLECT 

Whatever you earn in a day, think of giving the entire amount for something. Surely you would think it valuable to give such an amount. What if you had to give several days’ wages? 

RESPOND 

Visit with a fellow believer about the practice of giving. The principle for giving in the New Testament is not a tithe (ten percent). In the New Testament it is proportional giving; that is, giving in relation to how much you have been blessed. Read 1 Corinthians 16:1-4 to see what the apostle Paul told the Corinthians about giving. See 2 Corinthians 8:12-14 to learn you should give based on what you have, not on what you wish you had.