‘When life hands you a lemon, make lemonade,’ said Norman Vincent Peale (1898 – 1993), who published his best known book, The Power of Positive Thinking, in 1952. It stayed in The New York Times bestseller list for 186 consecutive weeks. Much of what he had to say was extremely good and helpful. However, there is a subtle difference between some of his teaching and the words of Jesus in today’s New Testament passage.
Norman Vincent Peale said, ‘A positive mental attitude is a belief that things are going to turn out well, and that you can overcome any kind of trouble or difficulty.’ Jesus said, ‘With God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26). This is far more than the power of positive thinking. It is God who makes what seems impossible possible.
1. Study God’s universe to understand God’s power
The fact that with God ‘all things are possible’ is proven by the fact that God created the entire universe out of nothing. The writer of Proverbs says, ‘By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew’ (vv.19–20).
The writer of Proverbs personifies wisdom as a woman (eg vv.13–18). As we read this through the lens of the New Testament, we see that Jesus is the wisdom of God. St Paul writes, ‘Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God’ (1 Corinthians 1:24).
The writer of Proverbs says, ‘By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations’ (Proverbs 3:19a). The Apostle John writes, ‘through him [that is, through Jesus – the wisdom of God] all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made’ (John 1:3).
When we find Jesus, we find the source of all wisdom and Proverbs describes this as a blessing (Proverbs 3:13a). It is the way to understanding (v.13b). It is far more profitable than all the material blessings (vv.14–15a). In fact, ‘nothing you desire can compare with her’ (v.15b). This is the path to long life (v.16, which is ‘eternal life’ in the New Testament, see John 3:16). Here we find true ‘riches and honour’ (Proverbs 3:16). This is the way to a peace beyond understanding (v.17). Here we find the ‘tree of life’ (v.18).
Lord, thank you that you want us to find a relationship with Jesus and grow in wisdom. Thank you that you love us and delight in us (v.12). Thank you that you discipline us in order that we gain wisdom (v.11). Thank you that nothing in this life can compare with knowing Jesus. Thank you that in relationship with Jesus we find peace and the tree of life. Thank you that we can know the one through whom this entire universe was brought into being, and the one through whom all things are possible.
2. Enter God’s kingdom through God’s power
The context of Jesus’ words that ‘with God all things are possible’ (v.26) is the account of the rich young man to whom Jesus calls, ‘Come, follow me’ (v.21b). He tells him, ‘Go, sell your possessions and give to the poor’ (v.21a). But it is too much for him to give up and the young man goes away ‘sad’ (v.22). Jesus points out how hard it is for the rich to enter the kingdom of heaven (vv.23–24). Yet, with God ‘all things are possible’ (v.26).
Jesus says that humanly speaking it is impossible for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven: ‘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’ (v.24).
Former Bishop of Durham, Tom Wright, points out that, ‘Some people have suggested that the saying about the camel going through the eye of a needle is actually a reference to a gate in Jerusalem that was called ‘the needle’s eye’. A camel would need to unload all it was carrying on its back to go through it. Other people have pointed out that a word very similar to ‘camel’ means a sort of rope; maybe he was talking of threading a sailor’s rope through a seamstress’s needle.
But both of these suggestions miss the point ... The point is precisely that it is unthinkable. That’s the moment when all human calculations and possibilities stop, and God’s new possibilities start. What is impossible in human terms, Jesus’ followers are to discover to their amazement, is possible to God (v.26).’
Eugene Peterson translates Jesus’ answer to the disciple’s question, ‘ “Then who has any chance at all?” Jesus looked hard at them and said, “No chance at all if you think you can pull it off yourself. Every chance in the world if you trust God to do it” ’ (vv.25–26, MSG).
In this world the rich, the powerful and the famous are the ones that people look up to as ‘first’. The poor are looked down on, despised and seen as the ‘last’. But in the kingdom of heaven the reverse is the case. Jesus says, ‘But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first’ (v.30).
It is his upside down kingdom. That is why Jesus asks the rich young man to give to the poor. It is not simply a test, it is because the poor are such a high priority in the kingdom. They should be for us too; the thirty thousand children dying each day of poverty, the oppressed people of so many countries, the homeless on our streets, the voiceless and the vulnerable.
Jesus rarely told people to give away everything but in this case he did. For everyone there is ‘a cost’ to following Jesus. There is the cost to be willing to fly his flag in a hostile world. There is what may seem to be a cost of giving up things which we know to be wrong.
Whatever ‘the cost’, it is nothing compared to what it cost Jesus to make ‘eternal life’ (v.29) possible for us. And it is nothing compared to the cost of not following Jesus. The rich young ruler missed out on so much.
Furthermore, and this is the point Jesus is making here, it is nothing compared to what we receive. ‘And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much and will inherit eternal life’ (v.29). Jesus promises that for everything we give up, we will receive far more – in this life and, even more significantly, into eternity with Jesus.
Lord, help us not to make the same mistake as the rich young man. Help us to be willing to give everything we have for the sake of the kingdom of God. Thank you that the greatest and most enduring riches come from following Jesus. Thank you that although it is hard for the rich to enter into the kingdom of heaven, with God all things are possible.
3. In all the struggles of life, trust in the extent of God’s power
Job ‘rejects the kind of advice and teaching that has God all figured out, that provides glib explanations for every circumstance’ writes Eugene Peterson in his introduction to the book of Job. ‘Job’s honest defiance continues to be the best defence against the clichés of positive thinkers.’
In the advice of Job’s friends we see an extraordinary mixture of truth, half-truth and falsehood (like so much of what we read today in some parts of the media!). When Bildad says that God will ‘restore you to your prosperous state’ (8:6), that is true. When he says, ‘Surely God does not reject one who is blameless or strengthen the hands of evildoers’ (v.20), that is half-true. When he says, ‘When your children sinned against him, he gave them over to the penalty of their sin’ (v.4), that is not true (see Job 1).
When Job replies he says, ‘true, but …’. He says, ‘Indeed, I know that this is true. But …’ (9:2). In other words, he points out that some of what Bildad said was true, but not all.
Job’s words are far more authentic. They come from the heart. He cries out to God, ‘I could only plead with my Judge for mercy’ (v.15). He wishes he had never been born (10:18–19).
Yet in the midst of all this he recognises that with God ‘all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26). Job says, ‘God’s wisdom is so deep, God’s power so immense ... He moves mountains before they know what’s happened, flips them on their heads on a whim ... He tells the sun, “Don’t shine,” and it doesn’t; he pulls the blinds on the stars ... We’ll never comprehend all the great things he does; his miracle-surprises can’t be counted’ (Job 9:4,5,7,10, MSG). ‘You gave me life itself, and incredible love. You watched and guarded every breath I took’ (10:12, MSG).
God was able to do in Job’s life what was impossible by human effort. God restored the fortunes of Job and ‘blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part’ (42:12).
Whatever struggles we are facing at the moment, however difficult life looks, however impossible the situation seems, it is important to remember and trust that ‘with God all things are possible’ (Matthew 19:26).
Lord, thank you for the example of Job – that he recognises our lives are totally in your hands and at your disposal. Your wisdom is profound, your power is vast. You are mighty. ‘Your hands shaped me and made me … You gave me life and showed me kindness’ (10:8,12). Thank you for your ‘awesome power’ (v.16). Thank you that with you, all things are possible.
Pippa Adds
Matthew 19:16–26
Our Alpha Course here has just started. It is so exciting to see all the people who have come to explore. I hope there won’t be too many camels stuck in the eye of a needle (v.24). With God all things are possible. Can’t wait to see what God is going to do this term in the lives of those on the course (v.26).
Comments
Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies;
Hear we go agene the bible referring wisdom as a she or female, is it because of the Lang wig deferens, sally my wife studied german and French at school like most people. she says that they name all thing ether male female or Neutral we don’t do that so mush.
I sup owes we do a bit we name ships a she is it because men name thing she we do that women don’t so much so it was a man that wrote the bible so wood he cal wisdom a she to give it moor crater dot no dust gassing what do you thick????
Female side to god being a home maker hear
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
Matthew 19:16-30
Wow some times when you read passages you are stund and amassed what I do I thick this says it all
I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus the Nazarene, and wonder how he could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean. Refrain: How marvellous! How wonderful! And my song shall ever be: How marvellous! How wonderful Is my Saviour’s love for me!
2. For me it was in the garden He prayed: "Not my will, but thine." He had no tears for his own griefs, but sweat-drops of blood for mine. (Refrain)
3. In pity angels beheld him, and came from the world of light to comfort him in the sorrows he bore for my soul that night. (Refrain)
4. He took my sins and my sorrows, he made them his very own; he bore the burden to Calvary, and suffered and died alone. (Refrain)
5. When with the ransomed in glory his face I at last shall see, 'twill be my joy through the ages to sing of his love for me. (Refrain)
Nothing is more wonderful than the power of God. I had a wart on my hand for many years and a pastor prayed that God would heal warts in a general prayer of healing and it disappeared at that moment. I have prayed and witnessed a rash vanish from someone, and a plague of ants vanish from someones kitchen. We prayed for the weather on a beach to change twice - with 2 different sets of people - the weather was really cloudy but withing minutes of praying for the clouds to move to the north south east and west - the sky remained blue for days afterwards. We prayed for rain in E Africa as well (many others probably did too) in the dry season this year and it started to rain. I now believe that we should have prayed for rain in season because it caused them some problems. God does answer prayer and I am thankful for the ones he answers we hope for the rest. RT Kendall used to write on a blackboard in his Sunday evening prayer meetings - it was interesting the following week to see how many were ticked off as answered. I really enjoyed the HTB prayer meetings!
Mark, how did the Wednesday Alpha meeting go?
Yes, it is interesting between language and images, like a homemaker, that various aspect's of God and his wisdom can be understood.
We aren't just minds or spirits.
I appreciate Nicky's point that with God all things are possible. The context or comparisons about the eye of the needle are really only there to help us get the idea better.
Please, Lord, more such prayer meetings!