With Christ, It’s not a Total Loss: Hope
Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!” The disciples were amazed at his words.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Mark 10:23-24, Job 23:10)
I greet you in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and warmly welcome you all to this corporate worship. We continually thank God for the gift of life and good health, and for opportunities to tell of his goodness - Praise the Lord! I heartily appreciate the entire Chapel team – led by Rev. Capt. Jaspher Oluge – that kept the ministry running smoothly while I was on leave, for the good work during the month. May God richly bless you and use you all the more. We should look forward to this exciting last quarter of the calendar year, in which we will start the Church year with the Advent season; and as we gather this month, let us strengthen one another in the grace of patient endurance, especially taking profound lessons from Job.
For whom is it easier to enter the Kingdom of God: the rich or the poor? For the first century Jews, it would seem much easier for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God because they could afford to give large offerings in the synagogue, give to the poor, and contribute more to community and synagogue projects. Just as they are honoured with front seats in public meetings, many thought that such actions would qualify them for better seats even in heaven. No wonder the disciples were perplexed, amazed and very astonished when Jesus said, ‘How hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God!’ And he said it twice! ‘Who then can be saved?’ This was at the occasion when a rich young man was told to sell everything and give it all away; though he wanted to follow Jesus and inherit eternal life, he was opposed to the total loss of his wealth. Though he had kept the commandments, Jesus knew he needed to learn hope with patient endurance to be a complete disciple.
The rich young ruler needed to learn that with Jesus Christ, it is not a total loss; we have unfailing hope. And that is exactly what we see in the life of Job. When he was very rich, he was “blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.” And when he lost everything in the thuggeries, lightening and hurricane, and betrayal, he exercised extreme patient endurance and still worshipped, waited on and hoped in God. Did Jesus say, ‘how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of God’? Job exemplified a good exception. The rich young man chose to follow Jesus Christ when he was rich; but he became crest-fallen and very sad, afraid and terrified of the imminent total loss if he gave away everything; would he still choose Jesus? Be ready to hold onto the Saviour in all circumstances; for with Christ, it is never a total loss; we have an unfailing hope. God bless you.