Lesson 3203

 (Lesson 3203)(10-10-20) Matthew 19:23-30

    “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, 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. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.”

    In today’s quote, Jesus explained that, under the Law, it would be almost impossible for the rich to gain eternal salvation. That was because they wouldn’t relinquish their wealth and follow every aspect of the old Law, to which they were still subject until Jesus had completed His divine mission of being sacrificed for the remission of all sin.

    It behooves us to make note that in the final words of today’s quote, Jesus said, “the last shall be first and the first shall be last.” 

    The “first”, as that word was applied, were the Jews. They were God’s original chosen people, yet they could not, or would not obey the laws that God provided for them. 

    The “last” are the Gentiles to which, after the Jews rejection of Jesus, God gave eternal salvation through faith in that same Jesus. 

    Therefore, today, salvation is open to all, both Jews and Gentiles, regardless of their sins. That is because those of us who believe, have the righteousness of Jesus imputed into us and cannot sin. “Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he CANNOT sin; because he is born of God. (1 John 3:9)~