Sermon on Matthew 19:26 | by Father.Mungamuri Devadasu

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible." — Matthew 19:26

Explanation:

This verse presents two key themes:

1. The Rich Man
2. The Camel and the Needle’s Eye

Jesus says 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. This statement seems beyond our understanding—how can a camel fit through a tiny opening? Where is the camel, and where is the needle?

The subject here is salvation. A great sinner, reflecting on his sinful life, may feel that this analogy is absolutely true. He might think: "I cannot attain repentance, and therefore, salvation is impossible for me." If repentance is possible, then salvation is possible. But if he feels he cannot repent, he concludes that salvation is beyond his reach.

For God, giving salvation is easy, but for a sinner, receiving it seems impossible. He sees his sins as a towering burden, as high as a mountain, and thinks of himself as an enormous camel trying to pass through a tiny eye of a needle. If asked whether he can enter God's kingdom, his response might be, "Absolutely not!"

However, Jesus' answer is striking. He reverses the sinner’s assumption:
 "For man, this is impossible." (True!)
 "But for God, all things are possible." (Also true!)

How can these two opposing realities coexist? A sinner may feel: "I do not receive salvation." Yet, this verse brings great encouragement to him.

A sinner can now pray: "O Lord, salvation seems impossible for me, but for You, it is possible. Therefore, save me!"

This verse is a great comfort and assurance for every human being seeking salvation.

A period of grace must be remembered. No matter how sinful a man is, if he desires salvation, God grants him ample time for repentance while he continues to grow in sin. Therefore, if he prays within that period, he will receive salvation.

This grace period is meant to nurture hope, encourage prayer, and reveal the path to salvation. It is a time filled with all the means necessary for a person to attain salvation. God does everything possible—both through gentleness and sternness—to bring a person to salvation. If a person shows even the slightest hope, he will be restored, for God will help him in his transformation.

While man may consider something impossible, God declares, "For me, all things are possible."

Conversation between a Spiritually Healed Person and a Sick Person

Teacher: How is your illness?

Sick Person: If it could have been cured, it would have already been cured by now.

Teacher: Why worry about the past? I am talking about the present. Forget what happened before—he can heal you. You can move forward, but can you walk backward into the past? Then why bring up what is already behind you?

Sick Person: You yourself say that healing is only possible if one has faith.

Teacher: Listen carefully—do you have hope, prayer, and faith within you?

Sick Person: Of course! If I didn’t, could I be healed? What if I lack faith?

Teacher: Faith will be strengthened. Once it comes, faith will make everything firm!
Tell me, is there any sick person who does not have hope and the desire to be healed?

Disciple: Is there any sinner who does not have hope and the desire for redemption?

Who gives these desires? Is it not He who instills faith? Because of this, salvation is granted by His grace.

Sequence 2:

A sinner has no hope, prayer, faith, or effort. To instil these in him, God allows hardships to come his way, sends him teachings and plants good thoughts in his heart. Through these, faith is born, and salvation is found.

Sequence 3:

What about a sinner who has no hope, prayer, faith, or effort?
And what about a sinner who, despite receiving them, remains unchanged?
And what about a sinner who hardens his heart no matter how much he is taught?

The two individuals mentioned earlier can reach the Word of the Lord. One will refuse to come, but the others will draw near. Despite any obstacles, doubts, or weaknesses they may face, God can still save them.

Even those who believe salvation is impossible can be saved, for what is impossible with man is possible with God.

At first, man sees impossibility; in the end, God makes it possible.

This is the order that the Lord spoke of. If a person thinks about God, salvation is possible! That is within human ability.

But if a person remains at the centre of everything, ignoring God and His work, then neither this teaching nor any other will apply to him.