But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Matthew 19:26
Wow! Something I knew made new! I’m sure you’re familiar with this verse. In fact, some of us are very familiar with this verse. It reminds us of the incredible power of God. It reminds us that He is in control. It reminds us that there is hope. I call this a comfort verse.
But, the knew made new enlightenment also reminded me that I was an out of context quoter of the verse. That I used this verse in my everyday life for myself and for others, but not in the context that it was spoken. We’ve got a situation at work that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible with God. We’ve got a finance issue that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible with God. We’ve got a scheduling issue that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible for God. We’ve got a relationship issue that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible for God. We’ve got a health issue that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible for God. We’ve got a child issue that’s impossible for us to work out, but possible for God.
Yes! In all these things, and so many more, in fact all of life, this statement is true. We are powerless, He is all powerful. We can’t, God can. And when I cherry pick this verse, although true in every context, I miss the specific context in which it is written. When I pull only this verse out, I apply it specifically to my life and my situations. And, again, it is true in every situation, it’s also much bigger and has deeper meaning than the way in which I’ve always used it.
When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Matthew 19:25
This is what that verse is all about. The Disciples had just witnessed Jesus’ encounter with the rich young ruler. Remember, the young man who asked what he must do to have eternal life (salvation)? Jesus told him to get rid of his belongings (stuff), give to the poor, and follow Him. The young man walked away from Jesus grieving because he had a lot of worldly stuff. Unfortunately, he chose not to. He chose stuff over life. He chose death over life.
Matthew 19:26 is a verse about the power to save. Matthew 19:26 is a salvation issue. Matthw 19:26 is a life or death issue and the Disciples were “exceedingly amazed,” or “astonished” at Jesus’ response. They just didn’t get it. They’d been taught prosperity gospel by the Pharisees – the more you followed the “rules” the more materially blessed you would be. If this rich young man couldn’t have eternal life, then who in the world could be saved?
Let’s look again at Matthew 19:26:
But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Such a beautiful verse. I paused at the third word – beheld. Beheld means to see with attention, to gaze upon, to observe something with great interest, awe, or understanding. It is a signal that what is about to be described or said next is significant, divine, or noteworthy. Beheld, pay attention, listen up. And what I really love about this verse is that Jesus beheld the Disciples. He looked on them intently. He gazed at them. He made eye contact, and commanded that they focus on Him, and then He spoke:
With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
It is impossible for you to save yourself. No amount of money, time, effort, power, coercion, stuff, work or trickey will save you, it is impossible! BUT, with God all things are possible! This verse is about salvation. Only God can save us and He wants to and He will when we stop trying to do it ourselves, when we stop trying to do the impossible.
How can this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the Holy One to be born will be called the Son of God.
Luke 1:34-35
Salvation only comes through the Holy One to be born. With God all things are possible. Glory to God in the highest!