Mission Impossible

SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 19:26 NKJV - But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

OBSERVATION:
In the hit television and movie series Mission Impossible, there is a catchphrase, “If you choose to accept, this message will self-destruct in thirty seconds.” Unlike Mission Impossible, Jesus’ message does not self-destruct by turning to smoke. However, it does destroy the idea of “I am good enough.”

This statement by Jesus was in response to a question from His disciples.

Matthew 19:25 NKJV - When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, "Who then can be saved?"

This was in response to Jesus's interaction with a wealthy young ruler.

Matthew 19:16 NKJV - Now behold, one came and said to Him, "Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?"

This question itself answers who can be saved. The rich young ruler asked, "What good things shall I do that I may have eternal life?” This question is still asked today.

Jesus replied with Matthew 19:17 NKJV - So He said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments."

The rich young ruler misunderstood what Jesus was saying. He believed that being good meant following the commandments. Jesus was explaining that there is only ONE who is truly righteous enough to keep them perfectly.

Romans 3:10-12 NKJV - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; There is none who understands; There is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; They have together become unprofitable; There is none who does good, no, not one."

Jesus is not so much dealing with a wealthy man as with someone who holds the attitude that I can do good works to earn eternal life. The rich young ruler came with his wealth and believed he had kept all the law. He thought that if his deeds weren’t enough, he could surely buy his way into heaven. We see this reflected in his interactions with Jesus.

Matthew 19:21-22 NKJV - Jesus said to him, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

This man was willing to take on Mission Impossible, but he didn't realize it would cost him everything—his wealth, power, and status blinded him to the fact that he was actually breaking the law. These things had become his idols. Jesus was urging him to set them aside and follow Him. You could interpret Jesus as saying, “If you accept this message (self-righteousness), it will self-destruct.”

APPLICATION:
You might be thinking like the disciples, “Who then can be saved?”

Matthew 19:26 NKJV - But Jesus looked at them and said to them, "With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Jesus took on Mission Impossible! He made a way possible, but we must come on His terms. We must realize I have nothing to earn, buy, inherit, or gain by merit; salvation is a gift from God.

Ephesians 2:8-9 NKJV - For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

What is impossible for you and me is possible for Him. It is no longer Mission Impossible, but possible with God.

Today, if you see yourself as the rich young ruler trying to earn salvation, stop! It is impossible. Come to Jesus, set aside your self-reliance, and let Him save you. It may seem impossible, like the rich young ruler. But nothing is impossible with God.

Romans 6:23 NKJV - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

PRAYER:
Jesus, I embrace the truth that I can never be sufficient, do enough, or have enough money to redeem myself. It exceeds any debt I could repay. Thank you for saving me! I don’t deserve it, but with You, salvation is attainable; it’s a free gift, and You paid a debt I could not.