What does "who then can be saved?" reveal about human limitations? Setting the Scene Jesus has just told His disciples, “It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:24). Shocked, “the disciples were greatly astonished and asked, ‘Who then can be saved?’” (Matthew 19:25). The Heart of the Question • The disciples assume wealth signals God’s favor. If even the “favored” face impossibility, what hope is left? • Their cry exposes a dawning realization: salvation is beyond all human reach—rich or poor, privileged or not. Human Limitations Exposed 1. Moral inability – Romans 3:10-12: “There is no one righteous, not even one…” – No amount of effort, status, or morality bridges the gap to God. 2. Finite resources – Psalm 49:7-9: “No man can redeem the life of another… the ransom for a soul is costly.” – Wealth, intellect, or influence cannot purchase eternal life. 3. Limited understanding – Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” – Human reasoning continually underestimates sin’s seriousness and overestimates human goodness. 4. Powerlessness over sin and death – Ephesians 2:1: “You were dead in your trespasses and sins.” – A corpse cannot revive itself; likewise, sinners cannot self-resurrect spiritually. God’s Answer: Divine Sufficiency Jesus immediately responds: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). • What is impossible for us—perfect righteousness, payment for sin, triumph over death—is possible for God. • Salvation rests on the completed work of Christ (John 19:30), applied by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Supporting Snapshots of God’s Saving Power • Luke 19:10: “The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” • Acts 4:12: “There is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” • Hebrews 7:25: “He is able to save completely those who draw near to God through Him.” Living It Out – Acknowledge personal inability; abandon self-reliance. – Rest in God’s unlimited power and grace. – Celebrate that the very question, “Who then can be saved?” is answered in Jesus Himself. Key Takeaways • The disciples’ question spotlights humanity’s utter helplessness to save itself. • Our limitations magnify God’s limitless grace and power. • Salvation is never earned; it is God’s gift, accomplished by Christ, received by faith. |
    |