Leaving All and Following Jesus - Luke 18:28

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved? And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-eight of his book Luke wrote how, “Peter said, we have left all, and followed you” where we read:

Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, and followed you.

The verse reads, “Then Peter said, Lo, we have left all, ...” Luke began with the words, “then Peter said” or “therefore, wherefore and these things being so Peter, whose name means a little rock or stone and was Jesus's disciple uttered, declared and proclaimed”, “lo, we have left all” which means “behold, look and consider, we disciples have forsaken and departed from each, every, the whole and everything they possessed”. Luke shared how Jesus' disciple “Peter” told Jesus he and the other “disciples” had left everything they possessed.

The verse continues, “... and followed you.” Luke added the words, “and followed” or “and joined, accompanied and sided with” “you” which means “Jesus”. Luke shared how Peter told Jesus he and the other disciples forsook everything they possessed to “accompany” and “be joined” to Him.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Peter responded to Jesus saying all things were possible with God by referring to the way he and the other disciples left everything to “follow” Him. Peter may have thought this would bring “favor” from Jesus, and Jesus will answer Peter in the following verses. God wants to have a relationship with every person through His Son Jesus, and when they realize people would possess nothing if it were not for Him, their best choice is to yield to Jesus and leave everything else behind.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus refers to a, “man that has left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children ...”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

 

All Things Possible with God - Luke 18:27

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-seven of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said, “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God” where we read:

And he said, The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.

The verse reads, “And he said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and he” or “and Jesus” “said” which means “utter, declare and proclaim” the following words. Luke shared how began to respond to His disciple's wondering who could be saved with the following words.

The verse goes on to say, “... The things which are impossible with men are possible with God.” Luke continued with the words, “the things which are impossible” or “the impotent, not possible, weak and unable activities and happenings” “with men” which means “along the ability of people whether male or female” “are possible with God” or “are able, powerful, mighty and strong with the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how Jesus said “things concerning salvation” which people cannot perform, God is able and capable of doing.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we see how only God can save, and people are unable to “save” themselves. This teaching is contrary to most today that promotes the idea of “saving oneself”. The difficulty comes when a person attempts to “save” themselves for “all eternity”, and when we consider this verse in light of the idea of the “rich ruler” wanting to receive “eternal life”, we see how “saving” himself in this life was temporal at best. God wants to “save” people for all “eternity”, and when they believe and trust in Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”, they shall be granted “forgiveness” for their “sins” and receive “everlasting life” from God.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus' disciples say, “we have left all, and followed you”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

 

Who Then Can Be Saved? - Luke 18:26

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-six of his book Luke wrote how Jesus' disciples ask Him, “who then can be saved?” where we read:

And they that heard it said, Who then can be saved?

The verse reads, “And they that heard it said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and they” or “and Jesus' disciples” “that heard it” which means “who were given the faculty for hearing, perceived, understood and discerned what Jesus proclaimed” “said” or “uttered, declared, proclaimed and asked” the following question. Luke shared how Jesus' disciples “heard” what Jesus said about how “hardly” shall the rich enter into heaven as He likened it to the ease of a “camel” passing through a “needle's eye”.

The verse continues, “... Who then can be saved?” Luke added the words, “who then” or “what person whether male or female therefore, wherefore and these things being so” “can be saved” which means “is able, has power whether by virtue of their own ability and resources, state of mind or favorable circumstances to be rescued, delivered and kept safe and sound from danger and destruction”? Luke shared how the disciples of Jesus wondered what person by any means was able to be “rescued and delivered” from destruction.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how Jesus' disciples began to think it was impossible for anyone to be “saved” because Jesus said it is difficult for people with “riches” to enter into the Kingdom of God. Jesus will respond to their wondering in our next verse, but suffice it for now for us to know that “salvation” of mankind was made possible by Jesus going to the cross to die in the place of every person. Now all they must do is to believe and trust in Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” and they shall be “saved”. Paul the apostle wrote, “if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (See Romans 10:9-10), and those who are wise will follow Paul's words and allow God to do what people cannot do for themselves.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “the things which are impossible with men are possible with God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

 

Easier to Go Through a Needle's Eye - Luke 18:25

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich. And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-five of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said, “it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God” where we read:

For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye,

than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.

The verse reads, “For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, ...” Luke began with the words, “for it is easier” or “because, since and on account that it is better for toil and more facile” “for a camel” which means “for a camel animal” “to go through a needle's eye” or “to enter, arise, come in and puncture the hole in a needle” that for the following to occur. Luke shared how Jesus said it is more “simple” for a “camel” to pass through the hole in a needle than for the following to happen.

The verse goes on to say, “... than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.” Luke continued with the words, “than for a rich man” or “than for a wealthy, abounding in material resources and abundantly supplied person whether male or female” “to enter into the kingdom of God” which means “to make entrance, arise and come into the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule of the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how Jesus said it is “easier” for a “camel” to go through the “hole” in a “needle” than for a “wealthy” person to “come into” God's Kingdom.

When we think through Luke's words in this verse, we learn how difficult it is for a “wealthy” person to come into God's Kingdom. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to pass through a “needle's eye” than for a “rich person” to enter the Kingdom of God. This “needle” may have been a reference to the “needle” gate within the wall of the city of Jerusalem where a person with a loaded “camel” would unload it, allow the camel to crawl through the wall upon it's knees, push the load through the hole and go through the “needle gate” himself where he would reload the camel for travel in the city. Of course, this requires a great deal of effort. However, others believe this to be a “sewing needle” through which “string or thread” passes through the hole. We can only imagine how difficult it would be to get a camel through that hole. God's desire is to have every person enter His Kingdom through His Son Jesus, and because this seems like an impossibility, only God can be relied upon to make it come to pass. Those who carefully consider these words will understand the words of Jesus and yield their lives to Jesus who alone is able to make provision for both rich and poor to enter the Kingdom of God.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus' disciples ask Him, “who then can be saved?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

 

Hard for Those with Riches to Enter God's Kingdom - Luke 18:24

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me. And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-four of his book Luke wrote how Jesus said, “how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God” where we read:

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said,

How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!

The verse reads, “And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, ...” Luke began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful” which means “the Son of God, the Savior of mankind and God incarnate observed, noticed and discerned the sadness and unhappiness of the ruler”, “he said” or “Jesus uttered, declared and proclaimed” the following words. Luke shared how Jesus noticed the “sorrow” within the “rich ruler” and proclaimed the following words.

The verse continues, “... How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!” Luke added the words, “How hardly” or “in what an impracticable and difficult manner” “shall they that have riches” which means “will the people whether male or female who hold, own and possess money and wealth” “enter into the kingdom of God” or “make entrance or come into the royal power, kingship, dominion and rule belonging to the Godhead bodily and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Luke shared how Jesus said it was very difficult for people who are “wealthy” to “enter” into “God's Kingdom”.

When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn through the “rich ruler's” “sorrow” and Jesus' words about the “difficulty” for people who have “money and wealth” to “enter” into the “Kingdom of God”. People who have “money and wealth” tend to “depend” upon their resources rather than relying upon God. In other words, in their “money” they trust. The unfortunate part to that belief is that “money and wealth” is temporary at best because all “earthly riches” remain on earth when a person dies. God is most interested in the “eternal life” of people, and He sent His Son Jesus into the world to “save” them from their sins so they may live with Him forever. Those who yield their lives to Him as their personal “Savior and Lord” will inherit everlasting and eternal life that shall never fade away.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “it is easier for a camel to go through a needles eye, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".

 

Radical Randy

 

Radical Randy rhyming his rants

routed raw radical riffs

refining replete resplendent repeat

reset them rhetorical rips

Revered not rejected reflexive remarks

regretting rough Randy refused

retreating reclaimed refreshing refrain

repelling relapse or refuge

Rejoicing his roar thus Randy revolved

rewrote relief real remedy

ransacked righteous room raspberry rheum

retired rookie referee

The Sorrowful Rich Ruler - Luke 18:23

The beloved physician Luke wrote how, “a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? And Jesus said unto him, Why do you call me good? none is good, save one, that is, God. You know the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and your mother. And he said, All these have I kept from my youth up. Now when Jesus heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lack you one thing: sell all that you have, and distribute unto the poor, and you shall have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me”, and in chapter eighteen and verse twenty-three of his book Luke wrote when the ruler heard this, “he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich” where we read:

And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful: for he was very rich.

The verse reads, “And when he heard this, he was very sorrowful:” Luke began with the words, “and when” or “and at the time and moment” “he heard this” which means “the certain ruler was given the capacity for hearing, perceived, understood, discovered and discerned what Jesus said”, “he was very sorrowful” or “the ruler was exceedingly sorrowful, intensely sad and grieved all around”. Luke shared how the “ruler” “heard” Jesus' words and was “exceedingly sad and grieved”.

The verse continues, “for he was very rich.” Luke added the words, “for he” or “because, since and on account that the ruler” “was very rich” which means “was exceedingly wealthy, abounding in material resources and abundant in supply”. Luke shared the reason the “ruler” was “extremely sadden” was because he was “exceedingly wealthy”.

When we consider Luke's words in this verse, we learn what happened when the “certain ruler” “heard” what Jesus told Him to do. Because he was “very wealthy”, selling everything he had and giving it to the poor would totally alter his lifestyle. This was a cost that was too great for the “ruler” to pay, and it saddened him to walk away from Jesus. God gives gifts and provision unto people, and when they recognize they would have nothing if it were not for Him, they should yield their lives to His Son Jesus as their personal “Savior and Lord”. There is no need to be “very sorrowful” when a person submit to Jesus and understands treasure in this life is temporary and fails to compare with the “treasure” that shall be obtained in heaven for all who believe and trust in Him.

Next time Luke shares how Jesus says, “how hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".