(This is Part 2 of a 2 part devotional column previously printed in November 2024.)
“All things are possible with God” (Mark 10:17-31.)
Previously, we began with Jesus’ teaching about kingdom lessons knowing the Cross of Calvary was quickly approaching. We looked at the cost of discipleship; particularly, how we expend the resources God has entrusted to us for the short time that we live here on God’s good earth.
Today, we are reminded that we find joy in the blessed assurance that “all things are possible with God.”
Jesus sees the sacrifices we make for the Kingdom. Expect persecutions. Life will not always be rosy; however, we are not alone. We have Jesus interceding and the Holy Spirit leading and guiding us. We have Christian brothers and sisters here and all over the world walking in holiness with us. In addition, there is a payday, maybe in this life and certainly in eternity.
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
One commentary says there are some challenges in being rich and holy: Concerns over how to make more money, who will manage the money, how to maintain wealth, who real friends are, security for oneself and family, and the appropriate social group.
Barclay Commentary said: 1) Material possessions fix a man’s heart to this world; 2) One begins to measure everything by a price; and, 3) Prosperity can make one arrogant, proud, self-satisfied; and, may make one think they are better than others.
Peter asked, “Who then, can be saved?” Jesus says, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. All things are possible with God.” Like our worldly culture, during this time prosperity was a sign of a good man. The belief was that wealth was proof of favor with God. Many may have focused on verses like Ps. 37:25: “I have been young and now old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging bread.”
The truth is that we are all equal in God’s sight. Jesus teaches us that things that have the greatest value are things that money cannot buy, things that are priceless, like love, joy, peace, kindness, humility, faithfulness, gentleness and goodness. God is looking to see how we acquire resources and how we use our resources.
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, says this about how we use our resources (time, money, gifts and talents): Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, for all the people you can, as long as ever you can.
Peter continues this dialogue with Jesus saying, “We have left everything and have become your followers.”
Jesus said, “No one who has left house or brothers or sisters for sake of the good news who will not get it back a hundred times over in the present time — homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, lands — with persecutions, in the world to come eternal life.”
Just remember, true happiness is in doing good things for others by sharing your time, money, gifts and talents. Yet, we do count the cost, because being a follower of Jesus is oftentimes exhausting. Trials and tribulations sometimes seem to come on every hand. However, when we start feeling overwhelmed, let us remember, Jesus left heaven and came to show us the way. Jesus died that we might have life abundant on earth and in heaven. Jesus was resurrected into heaven and sent us the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, to lead and guide us in all truth, to pray for us when we can’t pray, to walk with us daily as we journey together to “do good” until Jesus returns for us.
Who would not want the assurance of the Power of God living inside of us; the Lamb of God, Jesus, sitting at the right hand of God praying for us; and, God creating in all living beings what we were created to be, when we follow the Word of God as closely as we can in these finite bodies.
The bonus is God is everywhere (omnipresent), all mighty (omnipotent), and all knowing (omniscient). The end of the story is that we win, because we are on the winning side, God’s side.
So, until Jesus returns for us, let us enjoy the kingdom work, no matter how tired or weary our physical bodies get, for the reward is out of this world! Remember, we give up on no one, because Jesus said, “With God all things are possible.”
(Sources include: Wesley Study Bible, New Revised Standard Version, Barclay Commentary, and New Interpreter’s Bible Commentary.)
The Rev. Edna Morgan is pastor of St. Luke United Methodist Church in Pine Bluff. Her husband, David Morgan, is a retired pastor in the Arkansas Conference, and together, they established a 501(c) (3) non-profit retreat center, Healing Place Ministries, in 2004, that serves the Pine Bluff and Jefferson County areas.
Editor’s note: Pastors, ministers or other writers interested in writing for this section may submit articles for consideration to shope@adgnewsroom.com. Writers should have connections to Southeast Arkansas. Please include your name, phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.