TUESDAY- 20TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME –B
Gospel: Matthew 19: 23-30: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle
than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.
I Reading: Ezekiel 28:1-10: Though you are a man and not a god, you consider yourself the
equal of God.
The Danger of Riches, Mt 19:23-26
Jesus
took the rich young ruler’s rejection and warned all men about the dangers of wealth.
Jesus Christ loves and cares for all men including for a rich man to enter
heaven. The dangers that face the rich are real and terrible, so the warning
must be real and truthful.
1. The fact: wealth pulls a person
from the kingdom of heaven (v.23)
a.
Creates
big “I” v.16.20
b.
Makes
one hoard v.21:
c.
Attaches
to world v.22
2. The great difficulty illustrated:
it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man
to enter the kingdom of God (v.24)
3. The shock: who is saved if wealth
is not God’s blessing and a blessing of righteousness? (v.25)
4. The only hope for the rich (v.26)
a.
To
turn away from men
b.
To
turn to God and His power
The Reward for Believers, Mt 19:27-30
Peter’s
question is often misunderstood. Jesus used Peter’s question to teach a
wonderful truth. They and all who followed Him could rest assured-they would be
enormously rewarded.
1. The two essentials for reward
(v.27)
a.
Must
leave everything behind
b.
Must
follow Christ
2. The apostles’ reward: will reign
and rule with Christ (v.28)
a.
When:
in a new age
b.
Purpose:
to judge, rule, govern, direct
c.
Judge,
govern whom: twelve tribes of Israel
3. The believer’s reward: will receive
great reward (v.29)
a.
Reason:
left all-supreme allegiance
b.
The
present reward: a hundred times as much
c.
The
future reward: eternal life
4. The shocking surprise: sever
judgement of believers-perfect justice (v.30)
Thought: We
are to go ahead and leave all, trusting and following Jesus Christ (2Cor
6:17-18; Jn 2:15-16).
No comments:
Post a Comment