Who Then Can Be Saved? A Meditation on Mark 10

 

And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his

disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into

the kingdom of God! And the disciples were

astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and

saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust

in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!  It is

easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for

a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. And

they were astonished out of measure, saying among

themselves, Who then can be saved? And Jesus

looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but

not with God: for with God all things are possible.

Sometimes when Jesus speaks, He can stop everyone dead in their tracks.  In chapter 10 of Mark’s Gospel, a wealthy young man (sometimes called a rich young ruler) comes to Jesus, asking with sincerity what he must do to be saved.  Jesus begins by forcing him to think about why he is calling Jesus “good teacher,” since there is only one who is good… that being God alone.  Next he reminds the young man of the Law—something the young man claims to have kept from his youth.  Jesus tenderly helps him see where his covetousness and greed still cling to him unawares, as He tells the young man to sell everything he owns, take up the cross, and follow Him.  The young man goes away sorrowful, because his love of his possessions keep him from following Jesus into eternal life.

Immediately thereafter, Jesus helps his disciples understand the implications of what just happened, and His proclamation stops everyone cold:  how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God!  Specifically, for those who trust in riches, it will be easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle, than for that man to enter God’s Kingdom.  Hearing Jesus’ Words, the disciples nearly despair as they ask in a panic:  Who then can be saved?

This is exactly what Jesus wanted His disciples to understand, and exactly where He wanted them to be.  They were at the end of their intellectual rope, and realized that people—everyone, including themselves—were in a very precarious state.  As they tried to answer for themselves the young man’s question, What must I do to inherit eternal life?, Jesus points out to them just how incapable they are of doing what is necessary to be saved.  To the young man, and to each of His disciples, the Words rang in their ears, It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle…  Without trying to turn this phrase into some kind of cute speculative reference to camels on their knees through a particular gate in Jerusalem, let’s just take it as the disciples did:  IT IS IMPOSSIBLE.

And that, dear Christian, is the point.  What must you do to inherit eternal life?  Keep the Commandments—every one of them, perfectly, in thought, word and deed, things done and left undone, for every second of your entire life.  Indeed, it would be easier for a camel to thread a needle than for you to pull that off.  We, being fallen into sin and death, can’t manage a single breath apart from the sin that courses through our veins, let alone a perfect and sinless life.  It is impossible for us to do what we need to do to be saved.  Once we understand that, we’re ready to hear what Jesus has to say next:  With men it is impossible, but not for God.  For with God, all things are possible.

What that rich young man needed is exactly what the disciples needed, and what we need today:  Jesus.  Only Jesus could live that perfect, sinless life.  Only Jesus as fully God and fully man could bear the curse of our sin on the Cross, die for the sins of the world, and satisfy an eternal justice.  Only Jesus could rise the third day, with the blessed Gospel of forgiveness, life, and peace on His divine lips.  Only Jesus could ascend to the right hand of God the Father Almighty to intercede between God and men, until His triumphal return at the end of time to judge both the quick and the dead.  With men the work of salvation is impossible, but not with Jesus.  For Jesus, all things are possible—even the salvation of sinners such as us.

Have you been searching the world for a good teacher that will give you the secret to eternal life?  First, you must remember who is truly good—and that is God alone.  Have you heard the Law declare unto what you must do to be saved, and think you have kept all His Law in perfection?  Test yourself honestly and you’ll know you have failed, finding that you still cling to hell by your greed, selfishness, pride, lust, and every other disordered passion, rather than to the righteousness of God.  Have you finally come to despair of your own works to save yourself, knowing that you cannot climb the ladder to heaven because you are dead in your trespasses and sin?  Ah, then your heart is prepared to hear the real answer to your question:

Who then can be saved?  No one by their own power, will, decision, holiness, love or might.

Who then can be saved?  Everyone, by the power, will, decision, holiness, love and might of Jesus Christ poured out for you upon His Holy Cross.

Who then can be saved?  You can, dear Christian, by grace through faith in Christ alone.  What was impossible for you, is not impossible for Him.  For it is the Father’s good will to give you His Kingdom, to forgive you your sins, and cleanse you from all unrighteousness—to give you a new birth from above by Water and Spirit, that you might live in Jesus by His grace through faith and repentance all your days in this world, and in the world to come, inherit eternal life.

Amen.