The disciples were amazed at his words. So Jesus again said to them in reply, “Children, how hard it is to enter the kingdom of God!” Mark 10:24 NABRE
As Jesus is journeying a rich man asks what is necessary to inherit eternal life. Jesus says keep the commandments and give away all you own to the poor. The man has much and cannot give it away. Jesus then says that it difficult for those with wealth to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus disciples are amazed at this interaction and Jesus tells them it is hard to enter the kingdom of God. Jesus has taught that treasure can be stored in heaven and anyone giving up all for the sake of the gospel will receive hundred times more. Attaining the kingdom of God is not about doing, but all about not blocking entrance. Jesus isn’t telling those listening that they must pray more, feed the hungry, help widows, visit prisoners, take care of the ill to enter the kingdom of God, (though He does requests we do these things in other places.) Jesus is simply saying that we shouldn’t have things that are more important to us than entering the kingdom of God. The rich man had too much to give away and enter the kingdom of God. Others have given away all they have, making the gospel more important than any possession. In the mind of Jesus it is hanging on to things that seem important to us in this life that will block our entrance to the kingdom of God. Jesus even says if we give away everything for the gospel we not only attain the kingdom of God but we will receive one hundred times more in this life.
Attaining the kingdom of God requires we don’t put things in a higher priority than the kingdom of God. Being free to detach ourselves from everything, we receive the one thing most important.
Do you have “things” that demand your attention? Are you able to give everything away and rely on Jesus?
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