by Josh Fennell
The Restoration Herald - Feb 2025
Verses 16-19 — Jesus’s response was to follow the Law of Moses, specifically the Ten Commandments: do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, and do not give false witness. However, we observe not all the commandments are listed, and these omissions by the Lord must have been intentional. This man had not kept all the commandments, but had kept those Jesus listed, including one that is not mentioned in the Ten Commandments but is considered by James as the royal law (James 2:8).
Verses 20-22 — He then asked the question, “What do I still lack?” This is an honest question for there is no doubt the man wanted to be with the Lord at the end of his life. He was willing to do anything, or at least he thought so! Jesus said if you want to be made complete or perfect, sell everything you own and give it to the poor. This is why envy or covetousness was not mentioned, for this is something this man struggled with in his life. He craved money. He desired it above his relationship with the Lord. We know this by his reaction as he walked away sad because he had great wealth.
An inordinate desire for earthly things can get in the way of our following the Lord. We tell ourselves we can juggle worldly things along with spiritual things, but one will always take over and be dominate. Jesus says we cannot worship God and money (Matthew 6:24). The man obviously chose the money over the relationship with Jesus.
This passage has another application. Sometimes people choose family over God. How many people have decided not to obey the gospel because their parents or family members did not obey it? These people feel like they are betraying their families if they abandon family religious tradition and follow the one true faith found in Jesus. This happens far too often. People know they should obey the gospel, but because of family, they refuse.
Verses 23-26 — The rich man walking away sparked a conversation between Jesus and His disciples. It is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God for one simple reason: they do not want to leave what is most important to them. They worked hard for their wealth, and they believe if they leave it, they have left themselves behind. This is the same argument people are making today with sexuality and identity. This man believed his wealth is what made him, which is why it was so difficult for him to “sell what you have and give to the poor.” Jesus went on to say that it is like a camel going through the eye of a needle. Some have argued that this is talking about a gate in Jerusalem; however, this gate would not have been constructed until after Jesus had said this. The illustration Jesus used involved the biggest animal in their region and the smallest hole to show its impossibility.
This led to the disciples asking, “who then can be saved?” Again, this was a valid question. Jesus simply responds to them that with God all things are possible, which means, salvation is not a work of man, it is a work of God. It is only through God that one can find redemption from their sin and have eternal life.
Verses 27-28 — Peter then says they have left everything to follow You, apparently wondering what was waiting for them. Jesus responds in a way that shows their sacrifice has not been in vain. There is a reward for you apostles in that they will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. The regeneration the Lord refers to is the Christian age as individuals obey the gospel and are born again. The judging by the apostles consists of pronouncing decisions on questions of faith and practice. This judging the apostles do even today through the written Word (Ephesians 2:20).
Verses 29-30 — Then Jesus extends the promise to everyone who gives up their comfort for the name of Jesus, for some will have to sacrifice their stability, their family, their jobs, and their livelihood for the sake of the gospel. Jesus does not promise the Christian life would be easy, instead it will be fraught with difficulties. We must be willing to stand strong, be faithful, and be willing to sacrifice if necessary. The world does not understand the sacrifice we have to make to follow Jesus, but those who try to be first in the world will be last and those who make themselves last for the sake of the gospel will be first. In that, we should find comfort.
Some of the comments you hear on TV, social media, radio, etc., centers around this thought, “God saved President Trump’s life.” If that is true, why didn’t God save the life of Corey Comperatore — the fireman who was assassinated by the rogue gunman? When I hear the statement, “God saved Trump’s life/turned his head” my mind immediately goes to the wife and children of Comperatore and the other injured victims. What must they think? Was President Trump’s life more important than their injured or lost lives? No, of course not.
Let us look at the subject of interpreting providence, and what do we mean by providence? Providence is that which is directly influenced and affected by the hand of God. There are three reasons why events happen. 1) God causes them. 2) Nature affects them. 3) The freewill choices of people. All events can be categorized under these three causes.
So, after January 20, 2025, we are in anticipation of many things we have been promised by the incoming president. Reducing prices and inflation. Closing our borders. Rolling back DEI, LGBTQ. On transgender rights he would end “boys in girls’ sports,” a practice he insists, is widespread. But his policies go well beyond standard applause lines from his rally speeches. Among other ideas, Trump would roll back the Biden administration’s policy of extending Title IX civil rights protections to transgender students, and he would ask Congress to require that only two genders can be recognized at birth. Reductions in burdensome regulations. Targeting the elimination of the federal involvement in our nation’s education. Eliminating the green new deal. Improving the defense of our country.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? Well, as much as these things sound good and make us feel better about the direction of our country they are not enough. While the new administration may be able to improve our physical life, our society still has a spiritual problem. As described in Romans 1:21-32 “For even though they knew God, they did not honor Him as God or give thanks, but they became futile in their reasonings, and their senseless hearts were darkened. Claiming to be wise, they became fools, and they exchanged the glory of the incorruptible God for an image in the form of corruptible mankind, of birds, four-footed animals, and crawling creatures.
Christian apologists have long said that the three greatest miracles of the Christian faith are the creation of the universe, the incarnation of Jesus Christ, and His bodily resurrection from the dead. To these a fourth awesome miracle could be added—fulfilled Bible prophecy.
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