The Difficulty of Receiving Eternal Life

Last week, the rich man walked away appalled by the request to "sell all that you have and give to the poor" and "follow me" (Mark 10:21) to inherit eternal life. Jesus made this demand of someone who did not know God, God's standard of righteousness, or his own personal need for a savior. This individual walked away sad (v.22), but Jesus wanted to use him as a teaching point (vv.23-31) that earning salvation is a difficult thing: "For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few" (Matthew 7:14). In fact, it is so difficult that it is impossible to be achieved. Does that surprise you as much as it did the disciples? Does it lead you to ask the hopeless question "Then who can be saved?" (Mark 10:26)? Then seek the good news they received from Jesus.