Matthew 19:23-30
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Review the events of our previous passage, Matthew 19:16-22, before you read today’s passage, Matthew 19:23-30.
Having nudged the rich young man beyond the boundaries of his narrow mindset, Jesus now challenges the paradigms of his closest followers. To them, as to most of us, the idea that a well-resourced person will face difficulty entering the Kingdom of Heaven is hard to grasp. The question of the disciples simply exposes their worldly view of status and power and their inability to understand the ways of God’s Kingdom. If those with abundant resources, status, and power can’t maneuver their way in, then who can?
Take a moment to meditate on these words previously spoken by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount:
“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him,
for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” - Matthew 5:3
Sit with these words for a while noting anything you sense Jesus saying to you through them.
Read Matthew 19:23-30 again.
Leave it to Peter to again voice what the others dare not say out loud. “What will we get?”
Jesus has already answered this question a few times, but he is more than happy to reinforce what he said before. If you give up your dreams, your ambitions, your life to follow Jesus, you will find true meaning and purpose – real life that goes on even beyond physical death.
To enter the Kingdom of Heaven a person must rely solely on the mercy and grace of Jesus. These are the only resources worth holding on to.
For the last minutes of this time of reflection, consider asking Jesus to search your heart and mind and point out anything that is keeping you from relying solely on him. You might want to present different areas of your life to him, like money, status, power, relationships, etc., and then listen to what he has to say about each. Stay with this exercise for as long as you need.
What might Jesus be saying to you today?
What will you do in response?
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