Luke 18, 19

Luke 18, 19

Overview:  Jesus tells a story about a Pharisee and a tax collector who go to the temple to pray  Jesus says little children will enter the kingdom of God and wealthy people will have a hard time doing so.  Jesus meets a tax collector named Zacchaeus in Jericho.  Luke gives his account of the triumphal entry on Palm Sunday and Jesus weeps over Jerusalem.

Jesus offers a few sayings about the kingdom of God that discourage those who are listening to him.  "Truly I tel you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it."(v.17)  This on the heels of people bringing their children to Jesus to bless them.  The disciples try to run them off so he can do more important things - Jesus tells them to stop running the kids off, that actually it's to the little ones that the kingdom belongs.  The saying itself is quite specific in its use of the word never.  Receive the kingdom as a child or never enter it.  Never.  Further on, "How hard it is for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God."(v.25)  This is an ominous statement if you happen to be wealthy.  A little less exact then never, but still Jesus says it will be hard.
The people listening to all of this get a little discouraged and ask, "Then who can be saved."  The more Jesus has talked about it, the more challenging it seems to be - perhaps impossible.  Jesus answer is one we can hang our hats and our hopes on.  "What is impossible for mortals is possible for God."(v.27)  A great escape hatch from the whole problem of how we are able to negotiate a path into the kingdom.  The possibility of the journey being successful doesn't depend on us - what is possible - even if we imagine it to be impossible - is possible because it is God's work and God's will.