But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26, NKJV
Note before the devotional: Matthew 19:26 is one of those verses that I’ve wanted to find but wouldn’t have been able to find on my own. With God’s help, I’ve been blessed to not only know verses but also their references (book, chapter, verse) with reasonable precision. But there are many others where I don’t know that yet.
I think most people are familiar with the verse:
A big part of knowing this verse is its context: the angel Gabriel was just finishing up telling Mary that she was going to give birth to the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and that the Holy Spirit Himself would conceive with her. Jesus’s conception is very widely known as Exhibit A for the statement “nothing is impossible with God.”
For with God nothing will be impossible.” Luke 1:37, NKJV
A big part of knowing this verse is its context: the angel Gabriel was just finishing up telling Mary that she was going to give birth to the Messiah, the Savior of the world, and that the Holy Spirit Himself would conceive with her. Jesus’s conception is very widely known as Exhibit A for the statement “nothing is impossible with God.”
However, one thing I’ve noticed over the years is that, as the below devotional will allude to, people tend to treat God like a vending machine, that, because “all things are possible with Him,” therefore “all things are expected of Him,” very often in a very disrespectful manner. And I myself have been guilty of that before. I’ve both been guilty of doing it, as well as have been on the receiving end of someone else expecting the impossible from me. After all, I “can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13), which is true, but the way many people treat this verse misses the key point of also humbling oneself before the Lord. God is sovereign. His will be done, not mine, and not yours. But with faith and humility, both, we then get to experience God coming through in the impossible moments.
It’s why I really love Matthew 19:26 (But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”) and have wanted to find it, despite not knowing where to look. (I’m also chuckling at the irony that this verse is even proving its truth through my efforts to find it!) It speaks to both things: 1.) that things can be (and often are) impossible on one’s own strength, and 2.) by contrast, all things are possible with God, even beyond our wildest imaginations.
‘Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. There is nothing too hard for You. Jeremiah 32:17, NKJV
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’ Jeremiah 33:3, NKJV
Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21, NKJV
But remember this:
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. 1 Peter 5:6-7, NKJV
There’s more I wish to share afterwards, as the devotional itself spoke to me as well.
Jesus Does The Impossible
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to selfish prayers and a small view of God.
In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.
The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the very thing that man cannot.
We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. But with God all things are made possible for us to be saved. It is only through the work and power of Jesus that we have access to salvation. And through the empowerment of the Spirit, we are enabled to have faith in God.
What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it's a wrong mindset. Whatever it might be—God has the power to remove these things from your heart so that you can have faith in Jesus.
So, spend some time with God today, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anything within you that is keeping you from loving Jesus. Then, do something daring—surrender those things to Him.
Jesus’ statement in Matthew 19:26 is often taken out of context. Many people have taken this verse to mean that they can do anything they want in life because God can do the impossible. Often this can lead to selfish prayers and a small view of God.
In order to understand what Jesus is saying, we should read the preceding verses. In Matthew 19:16-22, a young man comes to Jesus asking for eternal life. Jesus tells him that he must give up all of his earthly possessions—something the young man is not willing to do. Because he failed the test, the young man failed to inherit eternal life.
Jesus says in Matthew 19:23 that it is very difficult for a rich man to enter heaven. The point is that loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else.
The disciples then ask, “Who can be saved?” Jesus responds in Matthew 19:26 that it is impossible for man to save himself—but it is possible with God. God can do the very thing that man cannot.
We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. But with God all things are made possible for us to be saved. It is only through the work and power of Jesus that we have access to salvation. And through the empowerment of the Spirit, we are enabled to have faith in God.
What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it's a wrong mindset. Whatever it might be—God has the power to remove these things from your heart so that you can have faith in Jesus.
So, spend some time with God today, and ask Him to search your heart. Ask Him to reveal anything within you that is keeping you from loving Jesus. Then, do something daring—surrender those things to Him.
Note after the devotional: Before I begin reflecting on the devotional itself, I felt prompted to proceed and share the contextual verses for today’s focus verse. There are two passages that were highlighted. The first is a conversation between Jesus and a rich young ruler who had asked Him how one might receive eternal life:
16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ ”
20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.
Afterward, Jesus debriefed with His disciples about the exchange with the young ruler:
23 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24 And again I say to you, 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.”
25 When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?”
26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
27 Then Peter answered and said to Him, “See, we have left all and followed You. Therefore what shall we have?”
28 So Jesus said to them, “Assuredly I say to you, that in the regeneration, when the Son of Man sits on the throne of His glory, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
The above passages are centrally about salvation. We cannot save ourselves. No amount or quality of “good works” that we do will earn any kind of favor with God. The command is simple: believe and obey:
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:8-10, NKJV
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Matthew 7:21, NKJV
Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” John 6:29, NKJV
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:40, NKJV
The point is, as the devotional says: We cannot earn our salvation. We cannot work hard enough to attain it, and we can’t achieve it on our own. It is impossible. and: Loving Jesus requires everything we are. Our ultimate love cannot be split between Jesus and something else. These statements are a shot to the heart, and rightly so. I know I have grown in my faith in knowledge of scripture as well as growth in turning away from sin. But I’m also aware that, just like the young ruler (and perhaps even more so than even he), I still have so far to go. I say I love Jesus and want people to get saved. But my heart on a day-to-day basis has often said things contrary to the above. Bottom line, that’s unacceptable. There’s a reason Jesus has repeatedly stated that our righteousness must exceed that of the Pharisees. They did a lot of good things, but they also hated the God whom they claimed to serve.
Especially in this last year, I’ve been having all sorts of reflections and thoughts running through my head, more so than usual (and I often have reflections and thoughts running through my head!). I’ve reached middle age, which isn’t old (not even close!). As part of this milestone, I’ve begun to recognize that the things of youth that I thought were so “mission-critical” to life (and the events in which are so far in the rearview mirror!) really aren’t anymore. And if my head had been screwed on straight back then, they never would’ve gotten to the intensity and dominance that they did.
I say the above not as a regret, but rather as a sign of a requisite mind-shift. Now, it’s about legacy. And even then, there is a potential trap in it. An honest question, how do I want to be remembered? can turn into one of two responses: 1.) being remembered for the “great person” I was and all the “great things” I did while alive on this earth; or 2.) being remembered for my love for Jesus and for others, and how that showed through in my fruit and in my work. Response #2 is the correct response and needs to be my reply; but Response #1 is closer to reality and must change.
Concerning the topic of legacy, most people don’t think about that when they’re young (regardless of generation). Many will typically think about the next thrill, the next chase, the next adventure. Many others battle with addiction and mental issues (although I also know that such challenges are not limited to the youth!). I myself was in a dark hole of my own for a long time when I was younger. Now, after having gotten out of that, I see that the battle rages on. Just because Jesus set me free from all sorts of things (praise Him for that!) doesn’t mean the enemy isn’t going to try to push me back down again. That was probably the worst wake-up call I’ve had to date. Once I was completely set free, I sincerely thought I had “made it.” And I did. But the fallacy was the idea that once I had “made it,” I would never ever have to worry about that again. I cannot begin to tell you how many times, in however many different ways, shapes, and forms, have I been completely wrong about that!
There are other self-reflection categories that I’ll need to save for another post, should the opportunity arise. The short version to conclude this above diversion is simply that the war doesn’t stop until Jesus returns as promised in the book of Revelation:
11 Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. 12 His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. 13 He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. 15 Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:
KING OF KINGS ANDLORD OF LORDS.
In the meantime:
Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; Philippians 2:12, NKJV
and,
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ; Philippians 1:6, NKJV
What in your life is keeping you from faith in Jesus? Maybe it’s a relationship. Maybe it’s material possessions. Maybe it's a wrong mindset.
It’s all the above. Deep down, my flesh wants control, and my flesh claims to have a “good” idea for how my life should be playing out, instead of how it has thus far. But, time and time again, my flesh has consistently proven it’s not strong enough, quick enough, smart enough, or crafty enough to put together my own plan for my life on my own and carry it out. How many times have I had to learn that lesson, now? More times than I can count. Thus, it should therefore be easier to convince myself to surrender completely to Jesus daily. After all, there really is no other way:
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24, NKJV
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. John 14:6, NKJV
Prayer: God, unclench my closed fists. Whatever it is that’s holding me back -- I release it to You. Please deliver me as I battle against my selfish desires and thoughts, and the things that feel impossible. Show me how to love You above all else. I trust that You are working all things for my good and Your glory. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
