Who Can Be Saved?

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Who Can Be Saved?

Date: May. 22, 2016

Passage

Mark 10:17-31 (ESV)

17 And as he was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 And Jesus said to him, “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone. 19 You know the commandments: ‘Do not murder, Do not commit adultery, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Do not defraud, Honor your father and mother.’” 20 And he said to him, “Teacher, all these I have kept from my youth.” 21 And Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.” 22 Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!” 24 And the disciples were amazed at his words. But Jesus said to them again, “Children, how difficult it is to enter the kingdom of God! 25 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.” 26 And they were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.” 28 Peter began to say to him, “See, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, 30 who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 10:27

Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God.”

First, a rich young man (17-27). Many people believe that salvation is something that can be achieved. A rich, young ruler ran up to Jesus and asked him, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" He didn't recognize Jesus as God, the very fount and source of life. By human standards, this man was indeed exceptional. He was wealthy, outgoing, and virtuous. In fact, Jesus looked at him and loved him. But, like all of us, the man was still lacking. We can't earn our salvation. It comes only as a gift from God to those who put their trust in Jesus. At the cross, Jesus did what is impossible for us to do - purchase our redemption. He is the only way to eternal life. Jesus invited the man to sell everything he had and to follow him, but the man couldn't. The more we depend on material things, the harder it is to follow Jesus.

Second, no loss in Jesus (28-31). Many have left their families and businesses to follow Jesus. They have often endured persecutions as well. In the eyes of the world, they seem foolish. But the blessings and fellowship we receive by entering the body of Christ far outweigh the cost. And then, one day, we will be with the Lord forever.

Prayer: Father, help us to put our trust in Jesus alone.

One Word: Everything is possible with God

The Lamb Will Triumph

Revelation 17:1-18

Key Verse: 17:14

Today's Question

What is creation?

See answer and references