Who is Jesus like? Vv. 24-27- The disciples thought that if one was not like a rich ruler who had a lot of money and was a man of influence then they could not get into the kingdom of God. But Jesus says you can get into heaven even if you are not rich; rather, those who do not have a childlike heart and are rich and seek more riches or poor and seek more riches cannot enter into heaven. He does not judge the people that the world does not pay attention to by their appearance. The power of the cross makes it so that anyone who loves the Lord can play a leading role in the kingdom of God.
What lesson is God teaching me? Vv. 15-17- Only those who accept the kingdom of God like a child can enter it. The disciples who dreamed of a strong kingdom of David elt that children were like the tax collector, prostitute, lame and blind – a hindrance to the kingdom of God rather than help. But the kingdom of God is for people who see Jesus as their everything and completely rely on him. Only he will be lifted up and only those who are completely glad in him like a child will inherit the kingdom.
Vv. 18-23- When the rich ruler was told to “sell everything you have and give to the poor”, he worried and then left. He had so many things that he could not receive the kingdom of God as a gift of God just like a child could. You cannot make money an idol and think that you could live life as a good “religious” person. In a generation where money has become everything, can you prove that your attitude is not like that of the rich ruler?
