Coming of the King: Week 41

Matthew 19:16-30: Wealth in the Kingdom

• 19:18 note which commandments are left out
• 19:21 "perfect" - complete. To get on board with the rest of the commandments.
• 19:23 "it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom" - "No man can serve both God and Mammon" Matthew 6:24
• 19:24 "eye of a needle" - hyperbole, or a narrow gate of Jerusalem called the "eye of a needle" that camels often need to drop baggage to get through, or a camel hair cord which is difficult to thread into a needle. straight is the gate and narrow is the way
• 19:25 "disciples were astonished" - the Pharisees were a form of Prosperity Gospel, where wealth was a sign of God's favor. If the wealthy found it difficult to enter the Kingdom, what hope was there for the rest of us?
• 19:26 "with man this is impossible" - the disciples got the message: it is only by grace we can be saved.
• 19:27 Peter is not rebuked for his concern.
• 19:28 "Behold, I am coming soon, and My reward is with Me, to give to each one according to what he has done." Revelation 22:12
  "Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge." Revelation 20:4
• 19:30 to be elaborated next time ...