The Idol

 ¹⁶ Just then a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”... ²⁴ Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” Matthew 19:16-20

I learned that Jesus gave this parable to address one primal issue - will I give up my idol to daringly believe in Him? 

What is an idol? Anyone or anything that takes my attention from God!

That young man in the story qualified to be in the list of the "most favorable person to be a great follower of Christ." He was well to do, had a good social standing and had sincerity in wanting to seek after God.

But Jesus hit the most pertinent issue that was stopping him from really following God. In asking him to give up his wealth and then to follow Him, Jesus was really asking him if he could give up his earthly security for the blessed assurance of the Heavenly Kingdom ("Seek first the kingdom of God..." Matthew 6:33).

But to be able to give up that earthly security, the young man needed to daringly trust that Jesus will provide and take care of him thereafter. The young man could not see that promise of God; his earthly idol blinded him and thus "he went away sad because he had great wealth."

Let's ask our self, "What is the idol that is keeping me away from wholly seeking God?" Got it? Let's give it up for God. 

Is it possible? Jesus gave us this assurance in the same passage, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26).

God bless.

Steven