We have seen how it is not the self-righteous or those who are clever or important in their own eyes who will enter the kingdom of God. Now we see that it is not the rich or powerful either who will enter.
A young ruler comes to Jesus asking how he can inherit eternal life. The ruler referred to Jesus as "good", Jesus questions his use of this adjective, maybe trying to make the ruler think about who Jesus really is. Then He reminds the man that he knows the commandments. The ruler claims to have obeyed these all his life. In saying this he was probably being truthful, at least an outward level. He probably had lived a respectable life.
Jesus then tells him to sell all he has and follow Jesus. Now this is not a law Jesus is giving, but He was going to the heart of the man. The man was living for himself, and in his case money was the sign of that. So the man became very sad.
Jesus declares how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom. When we receive blessings in this life we have a terrible tendency to start to worship the blessings instead of the One who gives the blessings. We put value on the blessings instead of on the One who blesses.
The disciples are shocked at what Jesus has said. They reckon by now that it is impossible to get into the kingdom. Jesus' answer is that it is only God who can bring a person into the kingdom.
The disciples had left homes and families to follow Jesus, the question naturally arose of what the consequences would be. Jesus assured them that they would not lose out, but would receive blessings in this life and the next. Now this is not a "prosperity" gospel, but blessings are not wrong. The key things is are we devoted above all to Christ and do we love others. And where is our trust?
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