Mission Impossible - It's Worse than I Thought

S - Matthew 19:23-30 (NLT): "Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is very hard for a rich person to get into the Kingdom of Heaven. 24 I say it again—it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 25 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 26 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But with God everything is possible.” 27 Then Peter said to him, “We’ve given up everything to follow you. What will we get out of it?” 28 And Jesus replied, “I assure you that when I, the Son of Man, sit upon my glorious throne in the Kingdom, you who have been my followers will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has given up houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or property, for my sake, will receive a hundred times as much in return and will have eternal life. 30 But many who seem to be important now will be the least important then, and those who are considered least here will be the greatest then."

O - In the world of human beings, including the world of religion, the poor, meager and disheveled are barely allowed in and for the most part are just tolerated by the affluent, substantial and orderly. In the kingdom of Jesus the poor, meager and disheveled are all shoo-ins and the affluent, substantial and orderly are in desperate straits with doubtful futures. Left to ourselves the rich are the mission impossible and the impoverished are the ones with a "leg up". So disabled are the rich, Jesus says that they are humanly the truest and surest "mission impossible". The good news is with God all things are possible. So, first off, the folks who look like they have the greatest blessings from God are the same ones at the greatest risk of missing it all. Secondly, when you do leave everything to follow Jesus he intends on giving it all back … times a hundred in this age and eternal life in the age to come. Perhaps the issue is not so much how much we currently have but rather have we ever left it all or given it all away? One thing seems pretty clear - how it looks now is most often NOT how things will be when it really counts.

A - I live in the top 2% of this world's population … and though I am in no way considered wealthy in my culture - on this planet I really am filthy rich. So, first off for me, I am at the greatest risk - the top 2% - to miss it all. Secondly, Jan and I have left it all four times in our lives together and now once we've had it "taken" away by those in power over us. Jesus tells me that since all of this was for him I don't have to worry about my "return"; in this age the return will be 100 times. I do have to "worry" about my true status because looks are deceiving right up to the very end. It seems like the only way to not miss it all is to leave it all (at least once) and to admit the true and real desperate state I live in. I need a miracle from the Lord every day while it's called today because with me on my own - it is impossible!

P - High King of Heaven and Lord and Savior of the Whole Earth,

Today while it is called today - I need a miracle. Lord, I admit my true rich condition and that without your direct intervention in my life I will miss big and eternal. Thank you for allowing us to leave it all, for the pain of this willing activity as well as the pain of having it taken from us. All of this will end as you say and we will even be glad for it. What is uncertain is my participation and true status here and hereafter. Jesus, I don't feel threatened by hell but I do recognize the tragic state of my own fallen nature and perspective. I want to follow no matter what; to live in the abundant freedom and provision you call us all to here and hereafter. Lord, thank you for the unending shower of grace and the shaping in your image. Let me live out loud the life which is truly life … I ask in the miracle power of your Name.

Steve