• New Testament Reading: Matthew 19:1-30
• Old Testament Passage: Malachi 2:13-16
• Points to Ponder

“Who Then Can Be Saved?”

Intellectually we know that God indeed does understand the challenges we face as sinners in a sinful
world. Even though we are trying as hard as we can to live according to his will, there are so many
temptations and trials in this life. Some of God’s expectations just seem to be “over the top” --
seemingly insensitive and perhaps even out of touch with reality. “Who can do that,” we think.

Does God really expect that divorce among his people should never happen except for adultery (not
the NIV “marital unfaithfulness)? Does God really expect people to stay in difficult marriages and
still do our best to make them work? It seems by the disciples’ response that is exactly what Jesus
meant. And to the rich ruler, who had spent his life obeying God’s commands, why would Jesus say
that he must sell all his possessions and give to the poor? Surely he didn’t mean that? Apparently
that’s how the young man and the disciples understood Jesus -- you can tell by their reactions.

Being saved by grace does not mean that God does not have expectations for our lives which he is
absolutely serious and resolute about. We do not honor or please God by lessening or minimizing
his expectations for ourselves and others when it comes to living righteously committed lives. Jesus’
teachings are hard. Not everyone will accept them. Some will walk away when challenged by them
-- unwilling to pay the price of true discipleship. When we make discipleship easier than Jesus does
we don’t celebrate grace, we cheapen it.

• Questions to Consider: Are there any of the hard teachings of Jesus that you are personally
struggling with? Find those teachings in the gospels and study them out thoroughly. Make sure
you know what Jesus is saying and then make a decision to follow him no matter what, because
“with God all things are possible.”